SAMUEL  BACON  BARNITZ. 


ffiarott  ffiarml? 


MISSIONARY  AND 
WESTERN  SECRETARY 


An  Apprwtatum 


m-.N,.          \H£~-^ 
REV.  Wl  E-^ARSON,  D.  D. 


BURLINGTON,  IOWA 

THE  GERMAN  LITERARY  BOARD 

1905 


P3 


Copyright  1905 

by 

R.  NEUMANN 
Burlington,  Iowa 


Press  of 

Severinghaus  &  Beilfuss  Company 
Chicago,  III. 


CMAMPTON  ACCES9tOft 
MKC80FT  UBRABY 

JUL  25.1938 


TO  THE 


IN  OUR  HOME  FIEJLD, 

AND  TO  THK  NOBI,E:  BANDS  THAT  MAKE)  THE  WOMAN'S 

HOME  AND  FOREIGN   MISSIONARY   SOCIETY 

OF  THE  LUTHERAN  CHURCH,  THIS 

SKETCH  IS  DEDICATED. 


"Your  fathers  proved  me,  and  saw  my 
works  forty  years."— Hebrews. 


FOREWORD. 

In  our  day  there  is  a  cry  made  for  the  simple 
life.  There  are  others  who  show  us  the  strenuous 
life.  It  is  possible  for  the  two  types  to  be  blended  in 
the  same  personality.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  lived 
a  strenuous  life,  yet  so  little  occupied  with  thoughts 
of  public  recognition  that  it  has  been  difficult  to  find 
the  materials  for  a  connected  biographical  story.  Dr. 
Barnitz  has  shown  the  church  an  example  of  simple 
faith  combined  with  a  remarkable  activity.  The  ac- 
count herewith  submitted  is  partial,  but  it  will  serve 
to  hint  the  devotion  and  rich  labors  of  one  who  "being 
dead  yet  speaketh." 

The  author  of  the  Simple  Life  has  said:  "If  a 
man,  in  his  humble  sphere,  in  the  midst  of  the  ignor- 
ance and  faults  that  are  his  inevitably,  consecrates 
himself  sincerely  to  his  task,  it  is  because  he  is  in 
contact  with  the  eternal  source  of  goodness." 

By  that  token  we  have  in  the  life  of  Doctor  Sam- 
uel B.  Barnitz  an  illustration  of  contact  with  God 
conspicuous  and  singular. 

It  was  deemed  'best  to  allow  Dr.  Barnitz  to  tell 
a  good  deal  of  the  story  in  his  own  graphic  way. 
Hence  the  very  free  quotations  from  letters,  journals, 
and  reports.  It  would  have  been  interesting  to  have 


o  FOREWORD. 

come  upon  the  address  which  he  frequently  delivered, 
"Twenty  Years  in  a  City  Mission",  but  there  was 
no  memorandum  of  it  remaining.  Many  who  had 
heard  the  lecture,  moved  by  the  alternating  pathos  and 
humor  of  it,  would  have  been  glad  to  see  it  set  out 
in  type. 

Believing  that  there  is  an  incentive  value  for 
others  in  all  consecrated  work,  this  brief  sketch  of  one 
of  God's  devoted  servants  is  given  to  his  friends  and 
to  the  Church. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  I. 

BIRTH   AND  £ARLY  YEARS 17 

His  parents — Boyhood  struggles — At  the  public 
school — Acts  as  porter — Clerk  in  store — Con- 
firmation— First  drawings  to  the  Ministry — First 
public  prayer. 

CHAPTER  II. 

STARTING  FOR  COLLEGE 23 

Call  to  the  Ministry — More  trials — Prayer  an- 
swered — Enters  college — Active  in  Christian 
Work — Health  breaks — Enters  Theological  Sem- 
inary— Walks  to  Niagara. 

CHAPTER  III. 
AS  HIS  FRIENDS  SAW  HIM  AT  COLLEGE 29 

Dr.  Grohs  Letter — Dr.  Baugher,  the  elder — 
Fears  for  his  ozvn  ability — Reassured — Dr.  Lilly's 
testimony — Popularity  among  the  students — 
Sanctified  humor. 


8  TABLE;  OF  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

LEAVING  GETTYSBURG 33 

Revival  Work — Visits  Philadelphia — Meets  Geo. 
H.  Stuart — Chaplain  at  Lutherville — Anxiety — 
about  settlement — Dark  days — Trial  sermons — 
Dr.  Stork's  call — Dr.  Butler's  Assistant — Returns 
to  York. 


CHAPTER  V. 

CALL  TO  WHEELING 38 

Three  Life  Periods — Dr.  Baum  suggests  Wheel- 
ing— Dr.  Passavant — Accepts  Call — Early  Days 
at  Wheeling — The  Civil  War — First  Sunday — 
Friends — Dr.  Baugher,  Jr.,  his  Assistant — Sun- 
day School  Work — Mission  conditions. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

METHODS  AT  WHEELING 45 

First  Orphan  Work — No  Early  Records — First 
converts — Review  of  Four  Years — Summing  up 
Results — Buys  Lot — Lays  corner-stone — Dr.  F. 
W.  Conrad — Eighteen  Years  Toil — A  Second 
Mission. 


TABLE  OF   CONTENTS.  9 

CHAPTER  VII. 

AN    OLD-FASHIONED   DIARY 53 

Laments  unworthiness — Division  of  General 
Synod — Prays  for  the  young  men — Visits  Jail 
— Sermon  Writing — Despondent — School  Grows 
— Declines  society — Visits  New  York — Longs 
for  a  Church — Twenty-nine — Sent  to  Montreal 
— At  York  and  Gettysburg. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

AN    IMPARTIAL   ESTIMATE 65 

Nearing  the  End  at  Wheeling — Relation  to  the 
Railways — Elements  of  Success — Permanence — 
Timely  Help — Benevolence — Collections — Spec- 
ial Contributions  —  Churchliness  —  Loyalty  — 
Catholicity — Philanthropy — Enterprise. 

CHAPTER  IX. 

TRACT  NO.   217 71 

Pen  Picture — Mrs.  Dr.  Heilman — Greatest  Sun- 
day School — Sunday  ministrations — Praying  for 
bricks — Stays  panic — Secret  of  his  success. 


1O  TABLE  Otf   CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  X. 
CALLED  AS  WESTERN  SECRETARY 75 

Wider  Field — Farewell  to  Wheeling — Disclaims 
merit — Ministerial  Sons — First  Report  to  Board 
— Des  Moines — Eleven  times  elected — Twenty 
Years  in  Held. 

CHAPTER  XL 

A   MODEL   SECRETARY 80 

A  Mission  Napoleon — Railway  Methods — His 
Reports — Day  of  Small  Things — Used  the  News- 
paper— Plans  for  a  Mission  Journey — Relations 
to  General  Council — Advocates  College  and  Sem- 
inary on  His  Field — Dr.  Clutz's  Testimony — 
Board  of  Education — In  Washington — Other 
Services — Declines  other  calls. 

CHAPTER  XII. 
A  MODEL  SECRETARY'S  REPORT 87 

Monthly  Reports — Material  for  Historical  So- 
ciety— One  at  Random  —  Kansas  —  Missouri  — 
Rocky  Mountain  Synod — Scandinavian  Items — 
Colorado  Springs — Pueblo — Nebraska — Illinois 
— Indiana — Iowa — Miscellaneous. 


TABLE  OF   CONTENTS.  II 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

IN   WEARINESS  AND  PAINFULNESS IO4 

Overwork — Longs  for  Rest — Travels  to  Minne- 
sota to  answer  a  letter — Rich  Return — A  Blessed 
Trio — Apostolic  Labors — Zions-Bote  Notice — 
Posthumous  Notes — Last  Communion. 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

HIS  WORK   IN    CALIFORNIA Ill 

Beginnings — Sacramento — Dr.  Burnett's  Testi- 
mony— Women's  Societies — San  Francisco — Los 
Angeles — Other  Missions — Analysis  of  Dr.  Bar- 
nitzfs  Character — The  End. 

CHAPTER  XV. 

TWENTIETH    ANNIVERSARY 117 

General  Synod  at  Des  Moines — Committees — Re- 
ceptions— Services  in  St.  John's — Dr.  Nelander 
— Other  Addresses  —  Crowning  Day  —  Barnitz 
Day. 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

HIS   LAST   SERMON 122 

Whitsunday  in  Boulder — Facing  Home — The 
Precious  Name — The  Victor's  Crown — Going 


12  TABLE  OF   CONTENTS. 

Home — Denver  Memorial — A  Great  Gap — Two 
Secretaries  take  His  Field. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

DR.   BARNITZ  IN  THE  PEW 126 

Dr.  Wirt's  Tribute — Pastor  and  Parishioner — 
Punctual  in  attendance — Liberal  Contributor — 
Example  to  all — His  Prayers — Addresses  to  the 
Sunday  School — Funeral  Sermon. 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

A    NOTABLE    CORRESPONDENCE. 134 

AFaithful  Correspondent — Mrs.  Emma  B.  Stork 
— Dead  yet  Speaketh — Thanksgiving — Mercies 
Recalled — Wheeling  revived — California — Easter 
— In  an  Adobe  House — Labors  Abundant — 
Moody  recalled — Charles  Stork. 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

GREAT  DAYS  IN   CHICAGO,   WHEELING,  ETC 142 

A  Platform  Orator — Conventions — Montreal — 
Washington — Chicago — Columbus — Wheeling — 
New  York — Dr.  Schmuckers  Appeal — Liberal- 
ity. 


TABLE;  OF  CONTENTS.  13 

CHAPTER  XX. 
SNAP  SHOTS  FROM  THE:  FIELD 147 

Winter  and  Famine — Requisites  in  a  Mission- 
ary— Expense  Account — Des  Moines — Portland 
— Sacramento — Chicago — Hamma  Hall — Varied 
Extracts  from  Reports — Conclusion. 

CHAPTER  XXL 

DR.   BARNITZ  AND  THE)  GERMANS I?O 

Dr.  Barnitz  of  German  stock — His  interest  in 
German  Synods — Dr.  Rosenstengel's  Editorial 
notice — Mr.  Stifel's  voluntary  tribute. 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

TRIBUTES  OF  ESTEEM 180 

Memorials  —  Dr.  Rhodes  —  Dr.  Troxell  —  Dr. 
Hamma — A.  F.  Fox — Dr.  Hartman — Judge 
Grosscup — Dr.  Heckert — Lutheran  World — Ob- 
server— Evangelist — Dr.  Heisler — Dr.  Kelly — 
Dr.  C.  S.  Albert— Dr.  Schnur—Dr.  Clutz—Mrs. 
Hamma — Mrs.  Breckenridge — Dr.  Wirt — Dr. 
Peschau — W.  L.  Seabrook — Hon.  Thos.  Dewey 
—Dr.  Waltz— Dr.  Dunbar—Dr.  Wolf— Mr. 
Eckhardt — Memorial  Services. 


14  TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 
A  WOMAN'S  TRIBUTE 188 

Always  promoting  Women's  Work — Death  an- 
nounced— Memorial  Services  in  Women's  Con- 
vention— Executive  Committee — Mrs.  Maggart's 
Address — Estimate  of  Character — Incidents — 
A  Hero— Dr.  Ott's  tribute. 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 
FINALE 198 

Family  History — Loyalty — Death  and  Burial — 
Memorial  Tablet  in  St.  John's— His  Life  Text. 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Samuel  Bacon  Barnitz Frontispiece 

Dr.  Barnitz  in  robe,  1861 35 

The  Old  Church  at  Wheeling 48 

Dr.  Barnitz  in  1867 62 

The  Trio,  Barnitz,  Baugher,  Goettman 72 

The  Trio,  after  twenty-five  years 82 

Headquarters  in  Des  Moines 95 

St.  John's  Church,  Des  Moines 109 

The  California  Synod 115 

Dr.  Barnitz  in  1897 130 

Last  Picture,  taken  by  Pastor  Oehler 165 


CHAPTER  I. 

BIRTH  AND   EARLY  YEARS. 

Samuel  Bacon  Barnitz  was  born  in  York,  Pennsyl- 
vania, May  1 2th,  1838.  His  father  was  Samuel  M. 
Barnitz,  a  son  of  "General  Jacob  Barnitz,  an  officer  of 
the  Revolutionary  War,  who  carried  in  his  body  an 
enemy's  ball  thirty-two  years".  So  the  monument  in 
the  old  Lutheran  church-yard  at  York  records  it.  The 
mother  of  Samuel  Barnitz  was  Sarah  Demuth,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Demuth,  one  of  the  earliest  German  set- 
tlers of  Pennsylvania.  This  godly  mother  consecrated 
her  son  from  earliest  childhood  to  the  service  of  the 
Master  and  the  Church.  The  father  was  immersed  in 
business,  having  a  large  legal  practice  in  the  courts  of 
York,  Lancaster,  and  Dauphin  Counties.  It  was  the 
mother's  influence  which  determined  the  life  and  call- 
ing of  the  son.  The  family  was  early  broken  and  scat- 
tered. First  came  the  death  of  one  brother,  who  was 
preparing  to  enter  the  ministry;  later  a  brother  and 
sister  were  buried  in  one  grave ;  still  later  the  father, 
after  a  lingering  illness,  died  when  the  boy  Samuel 
was  but  nine  years  of  age.  Then  came  the  pinch  of 
poverty,  the  reduced  home,  the  small  economies  which 
left  their  impress  upon  the  boy's  whole  after  life. 

17 


l8  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNIT2. 

Those  who  knew  Dr.  Barnitz  in  his  later  years  will 
understand  the  complete  democracy  of  spirit  which  al- 
ways moved  him.  He  lived  the  simple  life.  He  was 
born  in  a  simple  community,  and  the  deprivations  of 
his  early  life  were  part  of  the  education  which  fitted 
him  the  better  to  do  the  work  to  which  he  was  called 
of  God.  Often  in  the  midst  of  his  soul-moving  ad- 
dresses he  would  exclaim,  "Thank  God,  I  had  a  good 
mother!"  She  saw  the  coming  poverty  and  prepared 
for  it.  She  held  the  children  together,  moved  into  a 
smaller  house,  used  her  own  patrimony  in  support  of 
the  little  ones  of  the  family,  helping  to  meet  later 
expenses  in  college  and  seminary.  It  is  a  story  of 
parental  sacrifice  that  has  been  often  repeated  in  the 
families  of  preacher  and  missionary. 

The  changes  in  family  condition  interrupted  the 
boy  Samuel's  early  education.  Even  the  public  school 
was  too  expensive  a  luxury.  The  modern  custom  of 
supplying  the  pupils  with  free  books  had  not  then 
been  introduced.  For  lack  of  the  required  books, 
being  unable  to  buy  them,  the  boy  was  compelled  to 
lose  promotion.  Yet  he  was  made  of  the  stuff  that 
does  not  surrender  to  small  difficulties,  nor  to  great 
ones.  He  gathered  bones  on  the  public  streets  and 
alleys  of  York  that  he  might  buy  the  books  for  use  in 
the  public  schools.  Incredible  as  this  may  seem,  it 
is  a  fact,  the  record  of  which  remains  in  the  hand- 


BIRTH   AND  EARLY  Y^ARS.  19 

writing  of  Doctor  Barnitz  himself.  What  a  com- 
mentary on  the  changes  of  fifty  years !  An  ambitious, 
self-reliant  boy  willing  to  do  any  honorable  or  honest 
work  that  he  might  get  an  education.  Fortunately 
for  him  the  city's  sanitary  regulations  were  not  then 
inaugurated.  He  would  buy  few  books  with  the  bones 
he  could  now  gather  in  the  streets  of  York.  Young 
Barnitz  also  acted  as  baggage  porter  that  he  might 
gather  up  a  few  dimes  between  school  hours,  and 
so  be  able  to  buy  the  books  for  the  next  term.  This 
willingness  to  fetch  and  carry  never  forsook  him 
through  all  his  later  life.  He  was  always  doing  errands 
of  good  for  others,  carrying  his  own  heavy  valises 
often  to  save  the  church's  money,  counting  no  service 
too  menial  if  he  might  thereby  serve  Christ. 

In  the  year  1853  when  only  fifteen  years  old,  the 
boy  Samuel  left  the  public  school  to  enter  the  dry 
goods  store  of  his  uncle,  Alexander  Demuth.  This 
place  as  clerk  in  a  country  store  was  also  part  of  the 
boy's  education.  Many  a  young  man  has  graduated 
from  the  counter  to  become  manager,  owner,  legis- 
lator, preacher.  In  his  place  as  clerk,  Samuel  Barnitz 
was  a  positive  Christian  influence  to  all  about  him. 
He  was  of  such  a  trustworthy  character  that  he  was 
enabled  to  do  his  full  duty  to  his  employer  and  to 
those  who  were  older,  and  thereby  rapidly  gained 
promotion.  One-third  of  his  salary  was  annually  left 
in  the  hands  of  his  uncle,  to  be  saved  for  the  pro- 


2O  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

verbial  rainy  day,  so  that  in  case  of  sickness  or  accident 
his  mother  might  have  something  to  depend  upon. 

During  all  these  years  the  religious  education  of 
the  boy  was  not  being  neglected.  He  was  a  child  of 
God  from  birth,  like  Timothy,  knowing  the  Scriptures 
from  his  youth.  He  never  knew  the  date  of  his  earliest 
religious  impressions.  He  often  said  that  he  did  not 
know  or  remember  a  time  when  he  did  not  feel  a 
desire  to  love  and  serve  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  In  the 
Spring  of  1856,  when  eighteen  years  old,  Samuel 
Barnitz  made  a  public  profession  of  Christ's  name 
through  the  ancient  and  honored  Lutheran  custom  of 
confirmation.  Though  a  child  of  God  from  birth  and 
by  baptism,  not  remembering  a  day  when  he  was  not 
consciously  in  accord  with  the  gracious  drawing  of 
God's  spirit,  still  he  gathered  new  impulse  of  good 
from  an  open  and  avowed  declaration  of  his  purpose 
to  live  for  the  glory  of  God  and  the  good  of  his  fel- 
low men.  From  that  day  all  things  undertaken  in 
God's  name  were  always  looked  on  by  him  as  a  tri- 
umphant success,  even  when  they  seemed  to  fail.  Such 
is  the  contradiction  of  faith. 

This  public  confession  of  Christ  occurred  during 
the  four  years  of  service  in  the  store  of  his  uncle.  It 
was  then  that  he  became  deeply  interested  in  the  Bible 
and  Sunday  School  cause.  Then  also  came  the  first 
drawing  towards  the  Christian  ministry.  He  was  a 
faithful  clerk,  but  he  was  not  satisfied  as  a  clerk,  feel- 


BIRTH   AND  EARLY   YEARS.  21 

ing  a  desire  for  some  sphere  of  usefulness  that  was 
not  then  disclosed  to  him. 

An  enthusiastic  young  man  of  eighteen,  he  entered 
with  all  his  soul  into  the  then  comparatively  new  form 
of  Christian  work  known  as  the  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Association.  A  daily  prayer  meeting  was  con- 
ducted, the  leader  of  which  was  in  his  turn  Samuel 
Barnitz.  His  efforts  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  those 
around  him  were  very  greatly  successful.  In  the 
religious  revival  which  swept  over  the  country  in  the 
year  1857  Samuel  Barnitz  took  a  deep  interest.  He 
dated  his  call  to  the  ministry  from  that  time.  From 
the  record  which  he  made  in  after  years  this  extract 
is  of  deep  significance: 

"I  love  to  recall  the  revival  season  of  1857, 
as  in  it  God  gave  me  unmistakable  evidence  of  a 
call  to  give  myself  to  His  service  in  the  ministry. 
Even  then  He  permitted  me  to  lead  souls  to  the 
cross.  Oh,  distinguished  honor  for  one  so  un- 
worthy! Lord  Jesus,  keep  me  faithful!" 

The  first  prayer  the  lad  Samuel  ever  made  in  pub- 
lic was  long  remembered  in  York.  It  moved  the  con- 
gregation to  tears.  The  older  members  of  the  church 
knew  the  misfortune  through  which  the  family  of 
the  boy  had  passed,  the  death  of  the  father,  the  strug- 
gles of  the  mother,  and  their  sympathies  were  aroused 


22  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

even  to  the  melting  of  strong  hearts.  Many  of  the 
young  companions  of  Barnitz  in  store,  school,  and 
church  were  at  that  time  led  to  confess  Christ  before 
men.  Thus  early  God  gave  His  blessing  to  faithful 
testimony. 


CHAPTER  II. 

STARTING  FOR  COLLEGE. 

The  call  to  the  ministry  that  came  to  Samuel  Bar- 
nitz  was  of  the  old-fashioned  kind.  He  was  not  in  any 
doubt  about  it.  The  Lord  had  truly  called,  as  He 
called  the  other  Samuel  in  the  ancient  days.  The 
call  came  not  with  audible  voice  out  of  the  sky,  nor 
in  supernatural  fashion  in  the  night,  but  none  the  less 
was  it  deemed  a  call  of  God  direct,  unmistakable,  that 
dare  not  be  resisted.  He  had  neither  rest  nor  peace 
until  he  fully  yielded  and  said — "Here,  Lord,  take  me, 
and  send  me,  and  use  me  for  Thine  own  glory,  and  the 
good  of  my  fellow  creatures."  Immediately,  in  con- 
sequence of  this  deep  conviction,  he  left  the  store  of 
his  uncle  to  enter  upon  a  course  of  preparatory  study 
at  the  York  County  Academy,  looking  to  a  full  course 
at  Pennsylvania  College,  Gettysburg,  Pa.  During  the 
time  of  study  at  this  Academy  the  embryo  preacher 
began  to  preach  and  conduct  meetings  in  the  waste 
places,  visiting  the  alms  house,  and  helping  as  God 
opened  the  way  in  every  kind  of  Christian  work. 
There  were  dark  hours  just  a  little  in  advance,  but 
the  boy  was  unaware,  and  went  forward  courageously. 

In  the  Spring  of  1858,  the  arrangements  were  all 
23 


24  SAMUEX   BACON    BARNITZ. 

completed  for  entering  the  College  at  Gettysburg. 
His  delicate  mother  had  prepared  with  her  own  feeble 
hands  the  clothing  outfit  such  as  the  boy  required 
during  the  college  term.  Then  was  the  heart  of  the 
youthful  candidate  cast  down  by  the  clouds  of  thick 
darkness  which  fell  in  one  night.  His  entire  wardrobe 
was  stolen  and  was  never  recovered.  Must  the  young 
man  go  back  to  the  store,  or  even  carry  baggage  again  ? 
We  can  assume  that  the  diligence  that  characterized 
the  man  was  then  active  in  the  boy,  and  there  were 
likely  no  bones  left  in  the  streets  of  York  to  be  col- 
lected. 

The  money  loss  of  the  clothing  was  very  con- 
siderable. Yet  it  was  but  the  beginning  of  troubles, 
a  kind  of  preparation  for  something  more  severe.  The 
uncle,  Alexander  Demuth,  was  unfortunate  in  busi- 
ness, and  in  February,  1858,  Samuel  Barnitz  and  his 
mother  were  left  without  a  dollar.  All  that  had  been 
so  carefully  reserved  during  the  four  years  in  the 
store,  intended  now  for  his  education,  all  that  his 
mother  'had  received  from  her  father's  estate,  was 
swept  away  from  them  in  the  moment  they  seemed 
most  to  need  it.  The  perplexity  and  darkness  of  that 
hour  for  loving  mother  and  devoted  son,  only  those 
two  disappointed  hearts  could  ever  know.  They 
called  on  God  in  prayer,  asking  for  light  in  their  dark- 
ness. 

Nothing  of  cant  or  fanaticism  ever  entered  into 


STARTING  FOR  COLLEGE:.  25 

the  religious  experience  of  Samuel  Barnitz.  He  was 
thoroughly  practical  in  his  ideas  of  prayer  as  in  all 
other  forms  of  faith's  exercise.  Consequently  he  was 
not  surprised  to  find  that  his  prayer  was  answered. 
His  pastor,  who  knew  of  his  plans  for  entering  the 
ministry,  when  he  learned  of  the  financial  loss  that 
had  overtaken  the  family,  called  to  say  that  friends 
were  ready  to  help.  The  means  were  soon  provided 
by  the  congregation  and  others  in  York,  so  that  there 
was  no  interruption  to  the  plans  for  going  away  to 
college.  In  1858,  Samuel  Barnitz  entered  Pennsyl- 
vania College,  at  the  Spring  term,  and  for  a  time  was 
successful  in  pursuing  his  studies  along  with  his  class. 
The  failure  of  the  uncle,  with  the  attendant  perplexi- 
ties and  lawsuits,  preyed  upon  the  mind  of  the  stu- 
dent, so  that  at  the  end  of  the  Summer  term  he  re- 
turned home  considerably  broken  in  health.  During 
this  half  year  at  college  Mr.  Barnitz  impressed  himself 
upon  his  fellow  students  by  reason  of  his  deep  relig- 
ious zeal.  He  found  much  to  occupy  his  attention 
in  the  isolation  of  a  country  village.  His  room-mate 
fell  under  the  favorable  influence  of  his  consecrated 
and  earnest  spirit.  The  unconverted  students  in  the 
various  college  classes  were  drawn  to  the  subject  of 
personal  religion  through  the  devotion  of  this  fledg- 
ling from  York. 

By  the  consent  of  the  college  authorities,  young 
Barnitz,  associated  with  others  of  like  mind,  began  a 


26  SAMUEX   BACON    BARNITZ. 

daily  prayer  meeting  in  the  college  chapel.  The  first 
meeting  was  led  by  its  chief  organizer,  and  the  fruits 
of  the  meetings  were  long  after  seen  and  felt  in  the 
institution.  Active  in  all  good  work  in  the  college 
and  in  the  community,  conducting  a  Sunday  School 
regularly  two  miles  out  of  Gettysburg,  the  first  year 
closed  hopefully.  The  next  year  was  begun  in  regu- 
lar course,  with  advancement  to  the  next  higher  class, 
but  the  labors  and  application  of  the  previous  year, 
combined  with  worry  over  finances,  compelled  an 
abandonment  of  studies,  with  a  temporary  giving  up  of 
the  idea  of  entering  the  ministry.  The  thought  of 
defeat  at  the  very  beginning  was  intolerable.  Melan- 
choly came;  all  was  in  gloom,  the  outlook  dark. 
The  physicians  ordered  the  student  to  leave  the  col- 
lege and  return  home  to  recuperate.  This  was  always 
regarded  by  Dr.  Barnitz  as  the  darkest  hour  of  his 
life,  as  he  saw  the  cherished  expectation  of  his  heart 
dissolve  into  nothing.  He  went  back  into  business 
life,  entering  a  store  where  he  had  an  agreement  that 
he  might  do  only  so  much  labor  as  his  health  would 
permit.  Gradually  he  gained  in  strength  so  that  he 
was  shortly  able  to  enter  upon  labors  for  the  Tract 
Society,  the  Sunday  School  Union,  and  the  Lutheran 
Publication  House.  The  outdoor  life  in  Western 
Pennsylvania,  whither  he  was  sent  by  the  Tract  So- 
ciety, brought  back  such  a  favorable  condition  of 
health  that  by  a  unanimous  vote  of  the  Theological 


SMARTING  FOR  COIrftEGtf.  2? 

Seminary  faculty  he  was  admitted  to  the  theological 
school  at  Gettysburg  without  completing  his  college 
course. 

At  the  seminary  he  made  good  progress,  by  con- 
stant care,  improving  in  health,  so  that  his  prospects 
for  usefulness  in  the  ministry  grew  brighter  as  time 
passed  on.  The  daily  prayer  meeting  at  the  college 
continued  to  interest  the  theological  student,  as  did 
the  country  Sunday  School  previously  organized. 
Samuel  Barnitz  was  the  kind  of  boy,  man,  missionary, 
and  secretary  that  when  he  once  took  hold  he  never 
let  go. 

During  all  the  preparatory  period,  and  while  in  the 
theological  seminary,  he  tells  us  in  the  brief  autobi- 
ographical sketch  which  he  prepared  at  the  request 
of  Mr.  Geo.  H.  Stuart,  of  Philadelphia,  he  was  in 
greatly  straitened  financial  condition.  "I  oftimes 
knew  not  where  money  to  pay  my  board  would  come 
from,  yet  it  always  came  in  time.  God  never  forsakes." 

One  notable  incident  during  the  seminary  career 
was  the  walk  to  Niagara  Falls  planned  by  Mr.  Barnitz. 
Several  congenial  spirits  entered  into  the  project,  and 
carried  it  out  to  the  delight  and  benefit  of  the  whole 
party.  They  did  not  go  as  hoboes,  but  it  is  needless 
to  say  they  did  not  stop  at  any  first-class  hotels  on  the 
way.  The  party  was  strictly  personally  conducted 
by  "Sam  Barnkz,"  as  he  was  familiarly  known  in  those 
days.  He  arranged  to  represent  the  American  Sunday 


2&  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

School  Union,  and  by  writing  ahead  had  the  dates  set 
for  meetings,  including  entertainment  of  his  party. 
In  those  days  (the  Spring  of  1860),  it  was  counted  a 
considerable  undertaking  to  start  out  on  a  tramping 
tour  of  such  extent.  Many  are  the  traditions  of  the 
trail  of  sunshine,  innocent  sport,  interesting  incidents 
and  strange  experiences  occurring  during  the  jour- 
ney. The  outing  was  most  beneficial  to  the  theological 
student,  both  in  physical  results,  and  in  gathering  that 
knowledge  of  men  and  things  by  which  he  was  after- 
wards to  be  made  successful.  He  was  a  born  mission- 
ary, and  turned  even  his  vacation  into  a  season  of 
helpfulness  to  the  great  work  to  which  he  was  called. 


CHAPTER  III. 


AS   HIS   FRIENDS   SAW    HIM    AT 

Dr.  Barnitz  was  always  a  unique  personality,  im- 
pressing himself  from  college  days  upon  those  about 
him.  One  of  his  contemporaries  has  furnished  a  con- 
tribution recalling  the  York  boy  as  he  appeared  at 
Gettysburg  in  the  autumn  of  1857.  It  is  so  nearly  a 
photograph  that  we  reproduce  it  entire: 

SAMUEL    B.    BARNITZ    AT    PENNSYLVANIA 
COLLEGE. 

BY   LEONARD   GROH,   D.  Dv   OF   OMAHA,   NEB. 

It  was  in  the  Fall  of  1857  we  first  met.  He  was  in  the 
Preparatory.  I  was  Freshman.  He  hailed  from  the  City  of 
York,  hence  had  enjoyed  more  advantages  of  culture  than 
some  of  us,  who  had  not  seen  life  except  as  found  on  the 
the  farm.  He  had  lately  made  up  his  mind  to  become  a  min- 
ister of  the  Word.  He  was  genial,  sincere,  enthusiastic. 
He  had  labored  in  Sunday  Schools.  His  ready  utterance, 
deep  solemnity  of  voice,  and  manifest  devotion,  had  gained 
him  warm.  friends  and  many  favorable  recognitions.  There- 
fore he  came  with  courage  and  a  fair  share  of  innocent 
self-complacency.  The  latter  soon  received  several  rude 

29 


3O  SAMUEX   BACON    BARNITZ. 

shocks.  One  of  these  came  as  follows :  He  called  on  Dr. 
Baugher,  Sr.,  then  President  of  the  College.  He  found  a 
young  man  in  the  office.  This  young  gentleman  was  always 
neat,  dignified,  rather  stylishly  striking  in  appearance.  He 
had  the  faculty  of  putting  together  most  magniloquently, 
grandiloquent  sentences  to  express  very  common-place  ideas. 
When  Brother  Barnitz  entered,  Mr.  H.  was  just  getting  off 
some  of  his  fine  phrases.  Among  the  rest  of  the  things  said, 
he  related  his  experience  on  his  uncle's  "villa,"  not  far  from 
Baltimore,  which  made  a  deeply  discouraging  impression  on 
Brother  Barnitz.  He  was  greatly  relieved,  however,  as  he 
told  me  afterward,  when  Dr.  Baugher  drew  down  the  corners 
of  his  month  and  asked  Mr.  H.  how  long  he  had  lived  on 
his  uncle's  "farm"?  He  also  visited  the  Senior  class-room 
and  heard  these  learned  gentlemen  "scan  Latin  poetry."  Other 
similar  occurrences,  with  even  some  Freshman  "passing  by  on 
the  other  side,"  not  noticing  him  at  all,  had  the  effect  Solo- 
mon's glory  had  on  the  Queen  of  Sheba. 

"There  was  no  more  spirit  in  him."  He  wrote  to  his 
pastor,  Dr.  Lilly,  of  York :  "I'll  come  home.  Can't  stay  here. 
I'll  give  it  up.  There's  no  use  trying.  I  find  that  I  know 
nothing  at  all!"  Dr.  Lilly  quickly  replied:  "I  am  delighted 
with  your  letter.  You  are  a  very  promising  student.  In 
three  weeks  you've  learned  that  you  knew  essentially  noth- 
ing. Some  don't  learn  that  much  in  a  year  Some  even 
never  learn  it.  You  stay.  I  have  the  best  hopes  for  you!" 
He  stayed.  To  what  purpose  the  church  and  the  world  know. 

He  and  I  became  good  friends  then.     Our  fraternal  unity 


AS  HIS  FRIENDS  SAW  HIM  AT  COU.EGE.  3! 

continued  unbroken  as  long  as  he  lived.  As  I  now  recall 
him  in  those  days,  he  was  a  youth  whose  longitude  of  stature 
and  limb  was  somewhat  out  of  proportion  to  their  latitude. 
Tall,  slender,  black  hair,  abundant  and  glossy,  fair  of  com- 
plexion, a  pronouncedly  rosy  tint  on  the  cheeks,  describes 
him.  (Here  permit  a  long  parenthesis.  I  speak  freely  of  his 
appearance.  During  more  than  40  years  I  was  often  taken 
for  Brother  Barnitz.  I  could  never  see  myself,  in  this  respect, 
as  others  saw  me.  The  description  above  given  wouldn't  fit 
me  badly,  save  that  he  was  a  little  taller  and  more  slender. 
Later  on  both  added  a  black,  full  beard.  As  years  passed 
hair  and  beard  bleached,  never  becoming  white  in  either  of 
us.  While  I  was  taken  for  him  in  the  East,  so  many  years 
ago,  it  was  the  same  in  the  West  in  later  times.  Even  since 
he  is  asleep,  having  gone  to  "the  spirits  of  just  men  made 
perfect,"  I  was  asked  whether  I  wasn't  Dr.  Barnitz.)  He 
did  not  finish  his  full  course  at  College.  Physicians  ad- 
vised him  to  take  a  short  cut  into  the  ministry.  The  reason 
given  was,  he  wouldn't  live  many  years.  The  Lord  granted 
him  42  years,  with  varied,  abundant  and  successful  labors  in 
the  sacred  calling. 

His  complacency,  so  rudely  shocked  at  first,  speedily  came 
back  to  him.  He  learned  that  even  Seniors  hadn't  reached 
the  boundary  of  knowledge;  that  his  friend  H.  had  limita- 
tions; that  the  villa  he  described  with  such  glowing  beauty 
was  a  one-horse  farm ;  that  some  of  these  learned  young 
gentlemen  couldn't  address  a  Sunday  School  or  prayer  meet- 
ing with  half  the  edification  he  could.  He  was  reassured.  He 


32  SAMUEX   BACON    BARNITZ. 

was  liked  at  College.  Genial,  companionable,  always  dignified, 
he  could  never  take  part  in  any  small  tricks  jf  college  boys. 
His  earnest  devotion  always  brought  him  to  <he  front  in  any 
religious  movement.  He  did  not  stay  long  enough  to  be 
generally  known.  Those  who  knew  him,  loved  him  for  his 
candor  and  'high  sense  of  honor,  sanctified  humor,  con- 
scientiousness and  sincere  consecration  to  the  work  ahead,  in 
the  "ministry  of  reconciliation."  He  never  approved  of  or 
abetted  a  wrong — not  even  in  fun.  His  religion  wasn't  in 
sentiment,  but  ingrained  into  life — not  only  "Christ  for  us, 
but  also  Christ  in  us." 


CHAPTER  IV. 

LEAVING    GETTYSBURG. 

During  Mr.  Barnitz's  last  term  at  the  theological 
school  at  Gettysburg  he  labored  much  in  the  revival 
work  then  in  vogue  in  many  of  our  Lutheran  churches, 
as  indeed  throughout  most  of  the  Protestant  churches 
of  the  country.  His  labors  were  largely  confined  at 
that  time  to  the  region  of  York  and  Adams  Counties. 
He  made  a  first  visit  to  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  at- 
tending the  National  Sunday  School  Convention.  It 
was  on  the  occasion  of  that  visit  that  he  first  met  Mr. 
Geo.  H.  Stuart,  President  of  the  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Association,  and  later  the  head  of  the  Christian 
Commission  during  the  Civil  War.  This  acquaintance 
opened  into  larger  fields  of  usefulness,  and  made  a 
great  impression  for  good  at  the  time.  In  subsequent 
years  Dr.  Barnitz  had  opportunity  to  express  his  in- 
debtedness to  Mr.  Stuart,  of  whom  he  says:  "To 
Bro.  Stuart,  under  God,  I  am  indebted  for  much  of  the 
success  of  my  religious  life."  In  the  last  year  at  the 
seminary  Dr.  Barnitz  accepted  the  chaplaincy  of  Lu- 
therville  Female  Seminary,  (now  Maryland  College 
for  Women). 

33 


34  SAMUEL  BACON  BARNITZ. 

He  usually  left  Gettysburg  on  Saturday,  preached 
at  Lutherville  on  Sunday,  and  returned  to  his  studies 
Monday  morning.  So  from  the  beginning  our  friend 
was  a  busy  worker,  taking  advantage  of  every  oppor- 
tunity to  sow  the  good  seed.  The  hand  of  the  Lord 
was  manifest  in  these  preliminary  labors,  fitting  the 
worker  for  his  work. 

His  future  field  of  permanent  service  was  now 
beginning  to  cause  much  anxiety.  The  daily  problem 
pressing  upon  the  student,  "where  am  I  to  go?  In 
what  part  of  the  vineyard  am  I  to  work?"  brought 
many  hours  of  serious  misgivings.  Dr.  Barnitz  felt 
at  this  time  that  he  was  not  intended  for  city  work, 
but  was  looking  for  a  small  country  charge.  "I  never 
expected  to  take  a  very  prominent  position  in  the  min- 
istry, but  to  work  in  some  little,  obscure  church.  I 
was  greatly  perplexed  and  my  faith  was  put  to  the 
test."  Several  charges  were  vacant,  several  invitations 
received,  but  in  every  instance  something  prevented  a 
settlement.  The  theological  course  ended  with  our 
student-preacher  without  a  field  of  labor  and  without 
money.  Then  followed  more  dark  days.  Never  in  all 
his  later  life  would  it  have  been  possible  for  this  noble 
servant  of  God  to  have  had  such  an  experience.  After- 
wards, when  he  needed  rest  and  the  recuperation  that 
comes  from  laying  down  work  for  a  season,  he  had 
no  opportunity. 

A  few  months  passed  in  this  uncertainty  as  to  loca- 


DR.  BARN1TZ  IN  ROBE,  1861. 


LEAVING  GETTYSBURG.  35 

tion.  He  visited  Philadelphia  and  was  entertained  by 
the  family  of  his  classmate,  the  Knauffs.  He  attended 
a  synod  at  Germantown  in  hope  of  finding  a  field  of 
labor.  In  the  meantime  he  had  been  licensed  to 
preach  by  the  West  Pennsylvania  synod,  October  I, 
1 86 1,  at  Mechanicsburg,  Pa. 

No  place  of  labor  opening,  the  way  seemed  hedged 
up,  and  the  young  preacher  almost  disheartened.  His 
little  store  of  money  was  now  reduced  to  less  than 
five  dollars.  Still  he  had  enough  to  divide  with  two 
others  in  the  same  straits  with  himself,  leaving  him 
$1.57.  Sometimes  we  wondered  at  the  depth  of  his 
sympathy  for  the  missionaries  for  whom  he  pleaded 
before  the  Board.  He  had  learned  his  lessons  in  the 
same  hard  school  of  adversity.  At  this  period  he 
was  almost  tempted  to  leave  the  ministry,  which  he 
had  scarcely  entered  as  yet.  He  wondered  whether  he 
had  indeed  been  called.  But  he  followed  whither  all 
doubting  Thomases  should  go — "Went  to  the  Samson 
Street  prayer  meeting,  was  encouraged  to  pray  and 
wait." 

Then  the  light  began  to  break  again.  He  preached 
for  one  of  the  Philadelphia  pastors,  replenished  his 
little  store,  and  entered  upon  a  canvass  for  a  church 
paper,  temporarily.  During  the  brief  period  of  this 
uncongenial  work  he  gained  experience,  and  made 
friends.  All  of  which  was  of  incalculable  value  to 
him  in  his  after  missionary  field.  Thus  the  Lord  led 


36  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

him  on  from  December  to  April  of  the  year  1862. 
He  preached  as  a  candidate  at  St.  Peter's  church,  Bar- 
ren Hill,  Pa.,  and  was  given  a  call,  which  was  de- 
clined because  it  was  not  unanimous.  He  was  then 
invited  to  preach  as  a  candidate  at  St.  Luke's,  Phil- 
adelphia, corner  Girard  Avenue  and  Fourth  Street. 
After  supplying  the  congregation  several  Sundays, 
some  other  man,  who  could  command  more  money  to 
pay  their  church  debt,  stepped  down  before  the  dis- 
heartened candidate. 

"I  again  became  almost  discouraged,  but  felt  sat- 
isfied that  I  had  not  entered  the  ministry  from  any 
selfish  motives,  and  was  assured  that  God  would  direct 
me  to  a  proper  field."  Shortly  after,  an  invitation 
came  to  become  assistant  to  the  elder  Dr.  Stork,  at 
that  time  pastor  of  St.  Mark's  Church,  Baltimore,  Md. 
Through  some  miscarriage  in  the  correspondence  and 
consequent  delay,  this  proposal  came  to  nothing.  Just 
as  the  young  preacher  seemed  ready  to  give  up  and 
return  his  license  papers,  a  call  came  from  Dr.  J.  G. 
Butler,  of  Washington,  D.  C.,  to  come  and  assist  him 
until  such  time  as  God  directed  to  a  more  permanent 
field  of  labor. 

Doctor  Butler  had  been  appointed  chaplain  to  the 
hospitals  in  Georgetown,  his  commission  being  the 
very  first  one  signed  by  President  Lincoln.  So  for  a 
few  months  there  was  work  without  limit  in  the 
churches  of  the  city,  and  in  the  hospitals  among  thi 


LEAVING  GETTYSBURG.  37 

sick  and  wounded  of  the  Civil  War.  Sickness  in  the 
home  family  at  York,  Pa.,  called  the  assistant  away 
from  Washington,  and  led  in  the  end  to.  a  permanent 
settlement  in  a  mission  field. 


CHAPTER  V. 

CAIA   TO   WHALING. 

Doctor  Barnitz's  life  is  divided  into  three  clearly 
distinct  periods,  each  of  about  twenty  years.  The 
preparation  period  carries  him  through  twenty-three 
years  to  1862.  The  missionary  period  carries  him  to 
1 88 1,  when  he  entered  upon  the  work  of  the  Western 
Secretary,  in  which  he  continued  for  twenty-one  years 
to  the  day  of  his  death.  The  call  to  the  mission  at 
Wheeling,  Va.,  was  unexpected,  and  was  always 
deemed  by  Dr.  Barnitz  the  direct  ordering  of  Provi- 
dence. Indeed,  without  anything  in  his  nature  of 
that  mysticism  which  is  often  only  egotism,  he  was 
constantly  ascribing  his  leadings,  his  successes,  and 
multiplied  answers  to  prayer  to  the  direct  interposi- 
tion of  God. 

Rev.  Wm.  M.  Baum,  then  a  pastor  at  York,  Pa., 
said  to  Mr.  Barnitz  one  day,  "How  would  you  like  to 
take  charge  of  the  mission  at  Wheeling,  Va.  ?"  The 
reply  was:  "Well,  Brother  Baum,  I  am  ready  to  go 
to  any  place  to  which  I  am  rightly  called."  To  which 
he  added :  "If  I  know  my  own  heart  I  want  to  work 
for  Jesus,  and  though  the  field  may  be,  (as  report  says 
it  is),  a  hard  one,  yet  if  I  am  needed  in  it  I  will  go." 


CAtI,   TO    WHEEMNG.  39 

Instantly  a  letter  was  sent  to  Dr.  W.  A.  Passavant, 
of  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  who  had  the  Wheeling  mission  in 
hand.  Here  again  seemed  to  be  a  coming  together  of 
the  human  petition  and  the  divine  leading.  For  Dr. 
Passavant's  reply  stated  that  he  "had  been  praying  the 
Lord  to  direct  the  attention  of  Samuel  Barnitz  to 
Wheeling."  Dr.  Passavant  held  out  no  picture  of  a 
bed  of  roses  to  the  young  preacher.  He  told  him  that 
Wheeling  had  been  without  a  pastor  for  more  than 
a  year.  He  would  find  no  church  building,  and  few 
people,  likely  not  more  than  sixteen  members,  and 
those  all  very  poor.  It  proved  very  much  as  Dr.  Passa- 
vant had  foretold,  for  the  missionary  in  later  years, 
once  when  reviewing  the  early  days  of  trial,  told  in 
his  own  quaintly  humorous  way  how  he  had  arrived 
in  Wheeling,  expecting  to  see  a  great  crowd  out  to 
hear  him,  because  his  name  had  been  in  the  papers. 
What  was  his  mortification  to  find  only  eleven  women 
and  four  men.  One  less  than  the  number  indicated  in 
his  call.  The  amount  pledged  positively  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  missionary  was  one  hundred  and  fifty  dol- 
lars. Dr.  Passavant  thought  an  additional  two  hundred 
dollars  could  be  raised  from  friends  in  Philadelphia, 
and  ended  the  call  with  the  assurance:  "It  will  be  a 
hard  and  self-denying  field  for  you,  but  at  the  same  time 
a  field  large  and  rich  in  material."  After  making  the 
call  a  subject  of  special  prayer,  asking  God  to  make 
his  duty  plain,  he  determined  to  enter  upon  the  work. 


4O  oAMUUI,   BACON    BARNIT2. 

"I  made  my  going  a  matter  of  special  prayer  and 
God  made  my  duty  plain  to  me.  I  determined  to  enter 
upon  the  work."  In  these  simple  words  of  faith  Dr. 
Barnitz  records  his  decision  to  undertake  the  work 
of  the  first  and  only  church  he  ever  served. 

The  early  days  of  the  mission  had  been  full  of 
vicissitudes.  The  synod  of  Virginia,  at  its  meeting 
in  New  Market,  October,  1858,  resolved  to  send  a 
traveling  missionary  to  the  north-western  part  of  the 
State.  It  will  be  remembered  that  at  that  time  the 
division  of  Virginia,  creating  West  Virginia,  had  not 
taken  place.  Rev.  T.  W.  Dosh  was  appointed  to  the 
work  of  traveling  missionary  on  the  territory  along 
the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad.  In  the  year  1859,  he 
spent  several  weeks  at  Wheeling,  organizing  an 
English  Lutheran  congregation  with  fourteen  mem- 
bers. Rev.  W.  A.  Passavant,  of  Pittsburg,  assisted 
at  the  first  communion  service,  when  fifteen  members 
were  added  to  the  congregation.  Rev.  T.  W.  Dosh 
was  the  first  missionary,  services  being  held  in  a  Bap- 
tist church,  rented  for  about  two  years.  The  mem- 
bership was  increasing,  the  school  growing,  and  a 
chapel  building  was  projected.  Political  agitation  and 
threatening  civil  war  interrupted  the  work.  In  June 
of  1 86 1,  the  missionary  was  on  a  visit  to  Winchester, 
Va.,  when  hostilities  commenced,  communication  with 
the  South  was  cut  off,  and  the  pastor  did  not  return. 
For  a  year  the  little  flock  was  without  a  shepherd, 


CALL   TO   WHEELING.  4! 

though  religious  services  were  occasionally  conducted 
by  Dr.  Passavant.  This  carries  the  mission  on  to  the 
date  of  Dr.  Barnitz's  arrival,  June  16,  1862.  It  was 
a  little  band,  scattered,  disheartened,  as  sheep  without 
a  shepherd.  They  little  knew  the  man  whom  God  had 
selected  to  gather  them  up  again,  to  rouse  the  city, 
rebuild  the  Church  and  School,  create  Hospital  and 
Children's  Home,  and  make  the  Lutheran  work  a  great 
power  in  all  their  community. 

To  show  the  extent  of  the  demoralization  preced- 
ing his  coming,  Dr.  Barnitz  tells  us  that  he  found  but 
a  few  members,  a  pulpit,  and  no  Bible.  One  had 
been  presented  two  years  before  by  several  Southern 
friends,  who  afterwards  took  it  away  from  the  pulpit 
and  sent  it  to  the  former  pastor. 

The  first  Sunday  in  Wheeling  was  one  of  great 
gloom  and  discouragement.  There  was  a  congregation 
of  not  more  than  twenty  persons  in  an  old  dilapidated, 
dirty  church  building,  in  one  of  the  most  wretched 
sections  of  the  city.  This  church  had  been  leased,  and 
was  to  be  the  future  home  of  the  mission.  Dr.  Bar- 
nitz has  left  a  record  of  his  desolation  at  the  beginning 
of  his  work,  with  all  the  conditions  so  unpromising, 
war  in  the  land,  his  very  Bible  stealthily  removed  by 
unsympathetic  people,  and  not  a  single  pastor  of  the 
city  calling  on  him.  "When  I  was  introduced  to  them 
they  took  my  hand  as  though  I  had  leprosy.  But  God 
was  with  'me!"  A  leading  family  of  Wheeling,  not 


42  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

of  the  Lutheran  mission,  hearing  of  the  removal  of 
the  Bible  from  the  pulpit,  sent  the  missionary  a  beau- 
tiful pulpit  Bible,  with  other  tokens  of  friendship. 

Dr.  Barnitz  never  failed  to  mention,  at  the  proper 
time,  his  gratitude  for  the  kindness  shown  him  in  the 
early  days  at  Wheeling  by  the  family  of  Capt.  John 
List,  whose  wife  had  been  a  schoolmate  of  the  mother 
of  Dr.  Barnitz.  Mrs.  List  sent  for  him  as  soon  as  she 
heard  of  the  arrival  of  the  new  missionary,  assuring 
him  that  she  would  take  a  mother's  place  and  help 
him  in  every  way.  This  promise  she  nobly  fulfilled, 
and  through  a  long  term  of  years  aided  not  only  the 
local  mission  in  Wheeling,  but  every  other  good  work 
brought  to  her  notice  by  her  protege. 

In  August,  1862,  the  mission  was  reorganized. 
The  Baptist  church  not  being  in  a  desirable  locality, 
the  services  were  held  for  a  time  in  the  afternoon  in 
the  German  church  (Joint  Synod).  Later,  the  first 
Presbyterian  church  was  tendered,  and  later  Weisel 
Hall  was  rented  at  $400  a  year,  and  fitted  up  at  a 
cost  of  $900.00.  In  the  succeeding  years  the  largest 
hall  in  the  city  was  secured. 

These  first  years  are  lost  in  the  stress  of  later  strug- 
gles, but  we  know  just  how  the  missionary  went  at 
his  work,  collecting  funds  in  the  city  and  from  his 
friends  in  Pennsylvania  that  he  might  furnish  the 
large  hall  and  equip  his  Sunday  School  to  compete  with 
the  wickedness  abounding  on  every  side. 


TO    WHSEUNG.  43 

Dr.  Barnitz  brought  his  classmate  and  close  friend, 
Rev.  H.  Louis  Baugher,  to  the  mission  to  carry  on 
the  work  while  he  himself  went  on  a  collecting  cam- 
paign. Dr.  Baugher  was  possessed  of  the  same  mis- 
sionary zeal  (Par  nobile  fratrum!),  declining  to  ac- 
cept any  compensation  except  sufficient  to  pay  his 
boarding. 

For  five  years  the  mission  struggled  along  in  halls, 
enlarging  its  school  and  benevolent  work,  until  there 
was  scarcely  room  to  contain  the  crowds  that  thronged 
the  mission.  The  Lutheran  Sunday  School  was  the 
wonder  of  the  town,  the  largest  in  Wheeling,  known 
throughout  the  State  for  its  enthusiasm,  benevolence 
and  progressive  methods.  The  missionary  was  in  de- 
mand at  conventions,  Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tions, temperance  meetings,  and  every  kind  of  phil- 
anthropic work.  No  man  better  than  Dr.  Barnitz 
could  rouse  a  great  audience  to  enthusiasm  for  a 
noble  cause.  His  ringing  voice,  his  magnetic  manner, 
his  dry  humor,  and  his  broad  sympathy  for  every 
worthy  cause,  made  him  the  ideal  platform  talker 
that  he  was  for  many  years  in  our  own  Church  and 
in  the  general  community. 

At  one  time  in  some  of  the  churches  the  question 
was  raised  why  the  Wheeling  mission  did  not  sooner 
come  to  self-support.  But  later,  when  the  character 
of  the  population  was  better  understood,  migratory, 
and  having  little  of  this  world's  goods,  there  was  gen- 


44  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

eral  satisfaction  with  Dr.  Barnitz's  management  of 
the  work.  He  might  have  remained  another  twenty 
years  and  the  Boards  would  have  continued  their  sup- 
port of  the  missionary,  in  fullest  confidence  that  he 
was  doing  the  Lord's  work  in  the  Lord's  own  way. 

It  must  be  remembered  also  that  the  centralization 
of  our  home  mission  work  did  not  occur  until  some 
years  after  Dr.  Barnitz  had  been  at  Wheeling.  He 
was  doing  what  would  now  be  called  independent  mis- 
sionary work,  answerable  only  to  the  Pittsburg  synod. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

METHODS   AT    WHEELING. 

At  Wheeling  Dr.  Barnitz  at  once  began  his  work 
with  the  earnestness  which  marked  all  the  years  of 
his  life.  The  unsavory  conditions  surrounding  the 
mission  must  be  cured.  New  and  better  accommoda- 
tions were  procured  as  the  mission  enlarged.  From 
the  first — as  all  through  his  after  labors — he  entered 
with  special  zeal  into  the  Sunday  School.  He  delighted 
in  the  music  of  the  School.  He  gathered  up  the  neg- 
lected, and,  as  he  tells  us,  in  the  first  weeks  of  the 
mission,  began  the  support  of  an  orphan  child,  thus 
laying  the  foundation  for  the  Children's  Home,  of 
which  he  was  the  chief  promoter.  It  would  be  of 
great  value  if  we  were  able  to  produce  the  connected 
history  of  this  period  in  the  development  of  the  Wheel- 
ing church.  But  Dr.  Barnitz  left  no  records  covering 
the  early  days.  He  simply  states  that  the  congregation 
never  celebrated  a  communion  season  without  addi- 
tions to  the  church.  The  persons  brought  to  the 
Savior  were  mostly  of  the  poor  and  neglected  classes. 
One  of  the  most  vulgar  men  in  the  city,  who  had  not 

45 


46  SAMUKt   BACON    BARN1TZ. 

been  inside  a  church  for  fifteen  years,  the  dread  of 
all  decent  people  in  the  community,  was  converted, 
became  a  deacon  in  the  church,  giving  two  thousand 
dollars  toward  the  building  of  a  church.  Profane 
swearers,  brawlers  and  disturbers  of  the  peace  became 
quiet,  orderly  Christians.  In  one  family  a  grand- 
mother of  seventy-three,  daughters,  son-in-law  and 
grandchildren  together  made  confession  of  Christ. 

At  the  end  of  four  years  we  find  the  missionary 
looking  back  to  contrast  his  field  with  the  condition  of 
the  mission  when  he  entered  upon  the  work.  Writing 
a  brief  autobiographical  sketch  in  1866,  at  the  request 
of  his  friend,  Mr.  Geo.  H.  Stuart,  of  Philadelphia,  he 
says: 

"Four  years  ago  the  coming  June  we  had  no  regular 
church  organization.  I  found  fifteen  members,  all  poor,  with 
a  single  exception,  and  a  Sunday  School  of  about  ninety  schol- 
ars and  teachers.  Since  that  time  one  hundred  persons  have 
confessed  Christ  and  united  with  His  people.  The  Sunday 
School  has  grown  to  328,  being  as  large  a  number  as  the  rented 
hall  will  hold.  My  first  audience  numbered  between  fifteen 
and  twenty-five.  Last  Sunday  the  house  was  packed  and 
scores,  I  have  been  told,  went  away  unable  to  find  room. 
Four  years  ago  I  was  scarcely  noticed  by  the  different  pastors 
of  the  city.  Now  they  scarcely  undertake  anything  of  import- 
ance without  first  consulting  me. 

"Four  years  ago  we  had  no  Bible  Depository  and  no  relig- 


METHODS  AT  WHB,SUNG.  47 

ious  Book  House.  Now  we  have  one  of  the  finest  anywhere 
to  be  found.  I  have  given  this  work  my  personal  attention, 
and  made  it  a  matter  of  special  prayer.  God  has  heard,  an- 
swered and  blessed.  Four  years  ago  our  Christian  Associa- 
tion talked  of  disbanding.  My  old  love  for  Christian  work 
among  young  men  was  rekindled.  I  prayed  for  it  and  worked 
for  it,  and  now  it  is  doing  a  blessed  work. 

The  Christian  Commission  claimed  and  received  a  large 
share  of  my  attention,  not  so  much  in  the  way  of  raising 
funds  as  in  the  actual  work  among  the  sick  and  wounded  in 
our  hospitals  and  prisons.  Our  Heavenly  Father  gave  me 
grace  to  go  into  "the  Old  Atheneum"  hospital  of  this  city 
when  others  would  not  go.  The  place  was  so  filthy  that  it 
was  almost  impossible  for  me  to  find  a  spot  on  which  to  kneel. 

The  results  of  four  years  of  labor  in  Wheeling  are:  A 
congregation  of  over  one  hundred  has  been  gathered  from 
the  poor  and  neglected,  the  sinful  and  the  sad.  A  mission 
school  of  325,  the  most  efficient  in  all  the  city,  has  been  nobly 
sustained  by  this  little  congregation.  Seven  to  ten  orphans 
are  being  supported  and  educated  and  trained  for  Jesus.  Two 
young  men  of  talent,  and  above  all,  piety  and  Christian  energy, 
are  being  educated  for  the  ministry.  $3,200  have  been  given 
for  missions  and  charity.  Through  the  'Orphan  Box  System,' 
introduced  by  me  into  our  Sunday  School,  a  number  of  other 
schools  have  been  led  to  adopt  the  same,  so  that  nearly  $2,000 
were  given  for  orphan  purposes  during  1865.  A  first-class 
Religious  Book  House  has  been  established,  which  by  the 
blessing  of  God  is  becoming  a  power  for  good.  The  Y.  M, 


48  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

C.  A.  is  alive.  "Praise  God  from  whom  all  blessings  flow." 
I  am  now  at  work  creating  an  interest  in  the  erection  of  a 
Reform  School  and  Home  for  the  Friendless.  Also  a  Work- 
ingman's  Coffee  House,  and  a  Protestant  Hospital.  Father 
in  Heaven,  grant  that  in  Thine  own  good  time  these  institu- 
tions of  mercy  and  benevolence  may  be  successfully  estab- 
lished to  the  honor  and  glory  of  Thy  Name,  and  the  good  of 
Thy  suffering  creatures.  In  conclusion,  for  all  the  good  that 
I  have  been  permitted  to  accomplish,  I  give  the  glory  to  God 
the  Father,  God  the  Son,  and  God  the  Holy  Ghost.  Amen 
and  Amen !" 

This  autobiographical  note  well  discloses  the 
methods  of  work  and  large  sympathies  which  made  Dr. 
Barnitz  so  successful  in  his  mission.  His  busy  brain 
was  always  planning  good. 

It  was  only  after  five  years  of  such  toil,  prayer  and 
faith  that  the  missionary  began  to  see  the  larger  fruit 
of  his  labors.  In  August,  1867,  a  corner  lot  was  pur- 
chased for  $3,900.  This  proved  a  very  fortunate  in- 
vestment, as  it  was  next  to  the  United  States  post- 
office  building.  The  cornerstone  of  the  brick  chapel 
on  this  site  was  laid  November  18,  1868.  Rev.  F.  W. 
Conrad,  D.  D.,  of  whom  it  used  to  be  said,  facetiously, 
that  he  could  not  rest  at  night  if  he  did  not  lay  a 
cornerstone  once  a  week,  made  the  address.  It  was  a 
slow  work,  the  missionary  doing  much  of  the  work, 
and  himself  supervising  all  the  details  of  building, 


METHODS  AT  WHEELING.  49 

furnishing,  buying  economically,  soliciting  help  from 
friends  in  Wheeling  and  from  Lutheran  churches  in 
other  States.  Not  till  two  years  after  the  cornerstone 
laying  was  the  chapel  first  occupied.  October  31,  1870, 
the  Sunday  School  room  was  dedicated  and  first  used ; 
the  church  proper  was  finished  and  consecrated  in 
December  of  the  same  year.  Dr.  Dosh,  who  had  been 
the  earlier  missionary,  was  present  to  assist,  as  also 
Rev.  Dr.  Baum,  a  former  pastor  of  Dr.  Barnitz  in 
York.  Four  years  later  the  school-room  was  enlarged 
and  rededicated,  Dr.  Baum  and  Dr.  L.  E.  Albert 
assisting  on  that  occasion. 

The  report  of  the  missionary,  covering  his  entire 
period  of  service  at  Wheeling,  gives  some  faint  notion 
of  the  great  personal  sacrifices  and  unwearied  devo- 
tion of  Dr.  Barnitz  during  all  these  trying  years.  Be- 
ginning with  nothing,  he  ended  with  a  strong  congre- 
gation, a  large  school,  the  model  for  all  in  the  State, 
a  devoted  people;  the  Home  for  Orphans,  established 
largely  through  the  efforts  of  the  missionary,  and  the 
moral  tone  of  the  entire  city  lifted  up.  Dr.  F.  W. 
Conrad,  at  that  time  the  editor  of  the  Lutheran  Ob- 
server, after  visiting  the  Wheeling  mission  again  in 
1882,  at  the  end  of  Dr.  Barnitz's  term  of  service  in  the 
city,  wrote  editorially :  "The  Wheeling  mission  must 
be  pronounced  not  only  financially  a  profitable  invest- 
ment, but  ecclesiastically  a  great  gain  to  the  church. 
Three  hundred  and  nineteen  souls  have  been  led  to 


50  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

Christ  through  this  mission  directly,  and  twenty-four 
added  by  certificate.  The  Sunday  School  increased 
from  eighty  in  1862  to  more  than  five  hundred  in  1880. 
A  Home  for  orphans  and  destitute  children  has  been 
established  in  Wheeling,  in  which  great  work  the 
Wheeling  mission  has  had  a  very  considerable  part. 
Three  young  men  have  already  entered  the  gospel 
ministry  from  this  church,  and  a  fourth  is  now  pre- 
paring. Hundreds  of  humble  and  worthy  ones  of  the 
Lord's  poor  have  been  relieved,  hundreds  of  homes 
made  happy,  and  every  good,  honorable  and  benevo- 
lent work  has  been  stimulated  by  the  establishment  of 
the  Wheeling  Mission. 

"One  hundred  and  eighty-two  members  are  now 
upon  the  roll,  fifty-four  have  died,  over  thirty  are  at 
work  in  other  missions  and  churches  in  the  West,  and 
the  remainder  have  been  called  from  Wheeling  by  the 
ever-changing  circumstances  of  work  and  wages  inci- 
dent to  a  mining  and  manufacturing  community." 

Dr.  Barnitz  at  the  end  of  his  ministry  made  a  con- 
densed, yet  comprehensive  report  covering  the  entire 
period  from  1862  to  1880. 

He  reports  two  thousand  dollars  received  from  the 
East  Pennsylvania  Synod  towards  the  chapel  build- 
ing, two  thousand  dollars  from  "A  Steward  of  the 
Lord,"  to  erect  the  addition ;  from  collections  made  by 
the  missionary  himself,  contributions  from  individuals 
and  from  the  Pittsburg  Synod  through  the  Board  of 


METHODS  AT  WHEELING.  51 

Church  Extension,  the  sum  of  three  thousand  two 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars;  from  the  Board  of  Home 
Missions,  the  sum  of  six  thousand  six  hundred  dol- 
lars, making  a  grand  total  of  $13,850.00.  This  sum 
represented  the  cost  to  the  church  at  large  in  establish- 
ing the  Wheeling  Mission.  As  over  against  that 
amount  the  missionary  made  the  following  statement: 
The  mission  had  paid  for  the  lot  and  taxes  three  thou- 
sand nine  hundred  and  fifty  dollars ;  for  chapel  build- 
ing thirteen  thousand  one  hundred  and  seven  dollars; 
for  addition  to  school  nineteen  hundred  dollars;  local 
objects  seventeen  thousand  four  hundred  and  twenty- 
three  dollars ;  for  various  benevolent  objects  six  thou- 
sand dollars;  making  a  grand  total  of  $42,395.81 

In  other  words  the  mission  had  itself  provided  more 
than  twenty-one  thousand  dollars  in  actual  cash  for  its 
own  improvement,  or  nearly  two  thousand  dollars  a 
year.  This  is  surely  a  creditable  showing  for  a  little 
group  of  "eleven  women  and  four  men,"  who  were  to 
give  the  missionary  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  the 
first  year.  In  the  seventeen  years  ending  in  1880,  the 
mission  contributed  to  the  Synodical  Treasury,  $120; 
Home  Missions,  $470;  Foreign  Missions,  $347.67; 
Beneficiary  Education,  $390;  Church  Extension, 
$1,155;  Orphans,  $1,481;  Charity,  $1,840;  Local, 
$17,423;  Publication,  $97;  Pastor's  Fund,  $75;  Gen- 
eral Synod,  $36;  total,  $23,136.  The  contributions  for 
all  objects  during  the  first  year  of  Dr.  Barnitz's  min- 


52  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

istry  were  $501.50.  The  last  year  they  exceeded  three 
thousand.  Thus  the  devoted  servant  of  God  is  vindi- 
cated by  the  statistician,  who  sees  how  his  works  do 
follow  him  and  that  "He  being  dead  yet  speaketh." 

In  looking  over  the  reports  made  by  the  missionary 
to  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  one  is  impressed  with  the  care- 
ful attention  to  the  details  of  his  work  always  exhib- 
ited by  Dr.  Barnitz,  as  the  chief  factor  in  his  success. 
Taking  the  report  for  the  year  1878,  when  he  had 
been  on  the  field  sixteen  years,  we  find  that  he  is 
reporting  a  contribution  from  the  mission  of  only  $450 
for  his  own  salary,  while  he  reports  $490  paid  in  in- 
terest on  the  bonded  debt;  $416  on  benevolence,  char- 
ity, orphans  and  such  items.  A  church  had  been  built 
by  issuing  bonds  at  seven  per  cent,  afterwards  at  five 
per  cent.  The  membership  had  been  increased  by 
thirty  members,  "notwithstanding  the  illness  and  ab- 
sence of  the  missionary,"  during  the  entire  Winter. 
So  amid  weakness  of  body  often,  debt,  and  discour- 
agement, the  missionary  was  being  schooled  in  prepar- 
ation to  become  Missionary  Secretary.  Not  only  is 
the  First  Church  of  Wheeling  a  monument  to  his 
years  of  sacrifice  in  that  city,  but  the  Second  Church 
is  an  outgrowth  of  his  labors,  for  he  started  the  Mis- 
sion Sunday  School  only  two  squares  from  the  site  of 
the  Second  Church. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

AN    OU>-FASHIONED    DIARY. 

Several  years  after  settling  at  Wheeling  and  while 
still  a  single  man,  Dr.  Barnitz  began  to  keep  a  daily 
journal,  in  the  form  of  the  old-fashioned  diary.  Owing 
to  the  pressure  of  other  duties  this  record  was  discon- 
tinued after  a  half  year  elapsed,  but  the  fragment 
which  remains  is  an  iteresting  leaf  out  of  the  busy 
life.  It  abounds  in  introspections  and  lament  over 
unworthiness  and  lack  of  successful  enthusiasm  in  the 
work  of  building  up  the  mission.  Partly  as  a  type  of 
the  old-fashioned  diary,  and  partly  to  let  the  reader 
more  intimately  into  the  mind  of  the  missionary,  ex- 
tracts from  this  journal  follow.  On  the  fly-leaf  is 
written,  in  the  familiar  chirography,  "Hitherto  hath 
the  Lord  helped  us."  Immediately  underneath,  "Be- 
cause Thou  hast  been  my  help,  therefore  in  the  shadow 
of  Thy  wings  will  I  rejoice.' 

There  are  many  things  in  this  journal  suggestive 
for  a  young  pastor  entering  upon  his  first  field,  or  for 
the  missionary  who  would  make  his  discouraging  work 
the  brilliant  success  which  came  to  the  young  and  in- 
experienced but  zealous  pastor  at  Wheeling.  For 
these  reasons  the  extracts  from  this  journal  have  been 
taken  freely  and  at  such  length. 

53 


54  SAMUEt   BACON    BARNITZ. 

It  was  during  this  year  that  the  division  of  the 
General  Synod,  by  the  establishment  of  the  General 
Council,  threw  the  Pittsburg  Synod  into  such  turmoil. 
Reference  is  made  to  the  matter  in  the  course  of  the 
journal,  especially  under  the  entry  for  May  16,  1867. 

At  the  beginning  of  his  ministry  the  mission  was 
distracted  by  the  divisions  made  by  the  Civil  War. 
Now  later  Dr.  Barnitz  has  the  peace  of  his  flock 
greatly  disturbed  by  the  unhappy  synodical  divisions 
which  followed  the  disruption  at  Fort  Wayne  in  1866. 

"Jan.  i,  1867,  Tues.  Spared  to  see  the  first  day  of  another 
year.  How  good  my  Heavenly  Father  has  been  to  me  during 
1866.  How  little  I  have  done  for  His  glory.  How  prone  I 
have  been  to  wander  from  Him.  Have  mercy  upon  me,  O 
God  of  my  salvation,  and  take  not  Thy  Holy  Spirit  from  me ! 
Make  1867  the  beginning  of  years  to  me — a  year  of  great 
growth  in  grace  and  spiritual  strength — a  year  of  entire  con- 
secration to  my  Blessed  Master — a  year  of  increased  energy 
and  sanctified  zeal!  O  God,  if  it  please  Thee,  give  unto  us 
means  to  erect  a  House  for  the  glory  of  Thy  Holy  Name. 

Jan.  2,  Wed.  I  am  glad  to  find  in  myself  an  increased  de- 
sire for  holiness  of  heart  and  life.  My  prayers  for  more  grace 
are  being  answered.  ...  I  feel  an  increased  interest  in 
the  young  men  of  the  city  and  a  desire  to  bring  them  into 
the  fold  of  Jesus. 

Jan.  3,  Thursd.  I  have  been  thinking  much  of  my  mother 
since  Tuesday  and  have  a  great  desire  to  see  her.  Must 


AN  OLD-FASHIONED  DIARY.  55 

write  so  soon  as  my  sermon  is  finished.  I  am  happy  in 
thinking  that  this  year  opens  to  me  with  much  more  promise 
than  last  year.  This  afternoon  visited  Mrs.  N. — the  murderer 
of  her  own  child.  O,  what  a  sad  place  is  the  prison!  The 
Lord  give  me  grace  to  speak  to  the  inmates  of  Jesus  and  his 
Word  and  Love ! 

Frid.,  Jan.  4.  Arose  this  morning  with  sweets  thoughts 
of  the  mercy  of  my  Heavenly  Father.  Am  much  interested 
in  my  sermon  on  "How  old  art  thou?"  I  feel  that  time  is 
rapidly  flying,  and  that  I  must  work  more  earnestly  than  ever 
before.  "The  night  cometh."  I  have  great  reason  to  thank 
God  for  friends.  Each  new  day  adds  new  friends  to  my 
already  large  list  and  increases  the  love  of  those  who  have 
long  stood  by  me.  O,  that  I  may  show  myself  more  worthy 
of  the  kindnesses  of  the  people!  Oh,  my  Saviour,  keep  me 
humble,  and  suffer  not  my  successes  to  become  a  weapon 
against  me  at  the  hands  of  Satan ! 

Sat.  5th.  In  my  study  all  day.  I  rejoice  that  my  interest 
in  the  souls  of  men  deepens.  Parts  of  my  sermon  for  to- 
morrow night  have  been  written  with  tears  of  the  deepest 
concern  for  the  welfare  of  my  hearers.  Oh,  Heavenly  Father, 
may  the  worth  of  the  soul  be  more  and  more  impressed  upon 
my  heart.  Spent  the  evening  with  Mrs.  List  and  her  dear 
family. 

Sund.  6.  Blessed  be  God  for  the  return  of  His  Holy  Day ! 
Praise  the  Name  of  my  Heavenly  Father  for  sweet  refresh- 


56  SAMUEli   BACON    BARNITZ. 

ing  sleep  last  night.  Congregation  quite  good  this  morning, 
and  I  felt  the  love  of  souls.  Preached  from  Luke  13:6-10. 
Sunday  School  grand — full  of  interest  and  life.  O,  such 
singing!  It  seemed  like  a  foretaste  of  Heaven.  Blessed 
Jesus,  make  the  school  more  and  more  efficient !  Preached  at 
night  with  great  pleasure  to  a  crowded  house  from  "How  old 
art  thou  ?"  The  Lord  be  pleased  to  own  and  bless  His  Holy 
Word ! 

Mond.  7.  And  am  I  yet  alive?  O,  the  mercy  of  God 
towards  me  is  wonderful!  I  am  so  full  of  sinful  thoughts 
and  feelings  as  to  be  unworthy  of  the  least  of  His  favors. 
Feel  very  tired  this  morning,  as  I  had  but  little  sleep  last 
night.  To-day  begins  the  week  of  prayer.  I  have  service 
every  night  after  to-night,  this  being  the  meeting  night  of  the 
Y.  M.  C.  Assn. 

Later — Had  a  live  and  interesting  meeting.  Attended  the 
Mite  Society  of  the  Episcopalian  church. 

Tuesd.  8.  Am  much  encouraged  by  the  meetings ;  the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  is  moving  in  our  midst.  Katie  L —  very 
ill.  O,  that  it  may  please  the  Lord  to  raise.her  from  her  bed 
of  sickness,  and  may  He — the  Great  Physician — make  this 
dispensation  profitable  to  her.  I  plead  for  Katie  that  she  may 
be  a  true  child  of  God !  Retired  with  a  heavy  heart. 

Wed.  9.  The  morning  is  cold  and  bracing.  My  heart  is 
sad.  I  seem  to  be  deep  down  in  the  valley  of  despondency. 


AN  OLD-FASHIONED  DIARY.  57 

''Why  art  them  cast  down,  O  my  soul  ?"  Why  am  I  thus  ? 
Why,  O,  why  do  I  give  way  to  such  feelings?  Heavenly 
Father,  bring  me  up  out  of  the  pit,  and  give  me  a  cheerful 
countenance!  Katie  is  better  this  morning.  I  praise  God 
for  it.  Night  meeting  quite  interesting.  One  young  man 
remained  for  conversation.  God  bless  him! 

Thursd.  10.  Beautiful  Winter  morning.  Blessed  be  God 
for  that  providence  which  gives  us  the  different  seasons. 
This  has  been  a  most  pleasant  Winter.  Our  hills  are  cov- 
ered with  garments  of  snow.  "He  giveth  snow  like  wool." 
I  am  in  better  spirits  than  yesterday.  Blessed  God — my  Father 
— keep  me  from  despondency !  God's  amazing  mercy  towards 
me  fills  me  with  wonder.  "I'm  a  miracle  of  grace!"  Our 
meetings  are  full  of  interest.  O,  that  I  had  strength  to  follow 
them  up  with  special  effort. 

Frid.  n.  Am  in  good  spirits,  and  greatly  interested  in 
my  sermon  for  Sunday  night  on  the  "Sins  of  the  City."  Am 
greatly  encouraged  in  my  labors  as  one  and  another  and 
another  are  asking  the  way  to  the  Saviour.  These  are  mostly 
young  men  who  have  been  very  wicked.  Blessed  be  God 
that  the  truth  has  reached  their  hearts.  O,  Heavenly  Father, 
help  me  to  preach  the  truth  in  the  love  of  it,  and  grant  that 
more  and  yet  more  may  seek  life  by  faith  in  Jesus  Christ. 

Sund.  13.  I  feel  thankful  and  happy,  and  glory  in  the  fact 
of  being  a  preacher  of  righteousness,  temperance,  and  judg- 
ment to  come.  Sunday  School  was  very  interesting.  Over  300 


58  SAMUSt   BACON    BARNIT^. 

present.     Had   a  crowded   church   and   preached   with   great 
earnestness.    The  Lord  own  His  Word ! 

Frid.  18.  Still  alive,  and  on  interceding  terms  with  God! 
When  I  remember  my  shortcomings  and  then  think  of  God's 
mercy,  I  am  overwhelmed  at  it,  and  am  led  to  cry  out  "Un- 
worthy! Unworthy!"  Glory  to  God  that  He  has  deemed  me 
worthy  of  the  high  position  of  a  preacher  of  righteousness ! 
Every  day,  yea,  every  hour,  I  feel  my  unworthiness  and  won- 
der at  the  unlimited  condescension  of  God.  O,  for  a  nearness 
to  Him  which  I  have  never  before  felt !  O,  for  a  more  burn- 
ing desire  to  lead  souls  to  a  knowledge  of  the  Son  of  God! 
O,  for  more  stars  in  my  crown  of  rej  oicing ! 

Jan.  19.  Was  invited  to  a  tea-party,  but  felt  that  my  duty 
was  in  my  own  room  preparing  myself  for  the  glorious  work 
of  to-morrow.  I  am  glad  that  God  gave  me  grace  to  refuse 
the  invitation  and  to  say  No ! 

Jan.  24.  I  praise  the  LrOrd  for  the  effect  of  last  night's 
sermon.  I  yearn  for  souls.  Give  me  souls,  not  honor,  not 
praise,  but  souls!  souls!  O,  how  weak  the  instrument,  but 
how  mighty  the  power  of  God  in  the  instrument.  At  least 
twenty  stood  up  for  Jesus.  To  God  be  all  the  glory!  O, 
Father,  I  thank  Thee  for  calling  me  to  preach  the  gospel! 

Feb.  9.  Saturday  morning  and  no  sermons,  as  yet,  for 
to-morrow.  Lord  help  me!  O,  for  more  sense  in  regard  to 
taking  care  of  myself.  O,  that  my  zeal  were  more  in  accord- 


AN  OLD-FASHIONED  DIARY.  59 

ance  with  prudence!  Here  I  am  fairly  exhausted,  and  with 
all  the  work  of  to-morrow  before  me.  May  I  have  strength 
given  me  for  this  day's  study  and  to-morrow's  labor.  I  can- 
not long  continue  strong  at  my  present  rate  of  working.  I 
must  be  more  careful,  and  yet  there  seems  so  much  to  be 
done  for  God's  glory  and  the  good  of  men  that  I  cannot 
restrain  myself. 

Sunday,  Feb.  17.  A  blessed  day  has  closed  upon  us  as  a 
congregation.  There  were  ten  persons  confirmed,  seven  of 
them  young  men.  The  S.  School  was  full  of  the  glory  of 
the  Lord.  The  prayer-meeting  to  pray  for  the  coming  of 
Philip  Phillips,  was  one  of  great  delight  and  unusual  power. 

March  7.  This  morning  I  mailed  thirty  additional  letters 
to  pastors  and  congregations  asking  for  a  collection  at  Easter. 

March  14.  Off  for  New  York.  Had  a  kind  and  hearty 
reception  from  Bros.  Wedekind  and  Ockershausen.  Such 
friends  amount  to  something.  They  tell  my  faults  as  well  as 
my  good  qualities.  They  chide  as  well  as  praise.  They  re- 
prove and  advise  as  well  as  commend.  Blessed  be  God  for 
friends ! 

April  4.  Have  already  'had  five  applications  for  church 
membership  at  Easter.  One  of  them  an  old  friend  from 
York;  two  others  from  the  Ohio  Synod  German  church.  I 
rejoice  in  this,  as  I  feel  that  these  young  Germans  will  re- 
ceive much  more  good  with  us  than  in  their  own  church. 


6O  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

April  9.  Had  a  plain  talk  with  Bro.  K — ,  as  to  his  duty 
in  the  church  building.  I  want  him  to  give  $5,000.00.  O 
Lord,  incline  him  so  to  do!  Soften  his  heart  and  make  him 
to  see  his  duty ! 

April  16.  Have  just  been  called  to  the  jail  to  visit  Minnie 
N — .  O,  what  a  wretched  place  it  is !  She  lies  upon  a  bed  of 
straw,  covered  only  with  a  coarse  'blanket.  Truly,  "the  way 
of  the  transgressor  is  hard."  It  is  hard  to  speak  to  such  char- 
acters, very  difficult  to  know  how  to  treat  them.  I  read  to 
her  the  51  st  Psalm,  and  tried  to  tell  her  of  the  Saviour's  love 
for  sinners. 

April  19.  "Good  Friday" — the  day  commemorating  the 
crucifixion  of  the  World's  Redeemer.  I  am  dull  and  stupid, 
unfit  for  the  services  of  to-day.  O,  Heavenly  Father,  breathe 
upon  me  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  help  me  by  faith,  to  see  my 
Saviour  on  the  cross.  Help  me  to  crucify  the  flesh  with  the 
affections  and  lusts. 

April  20.  How  weak  and  frail  is  my  poor  body !  I  seem 
scarcely  able  to  endure  anything  in  comparison  to  my  labors 
of  former  years.  Attended  funeral  of  a  young  man  who  was 
cut  to  pieces  on  Balto.  and  Ohio  Railroad.  Truly,  "In  the 
midst  of  life  we  are  in  death." 

April  23.  It  is  Katie  L — 's  wedding-day.  Bros.  Baugher, 
Goettman  and  myself  presented  Katie  with  a  beautiful  family 
Bible. 


AN  OLD-FASHIONED  DIARY.  6l 

Thursd.  25.  Commenced  my  sermon  on  "Church  Build- 
ing." O,  Heavenly  Father,  give  me  grace  and  wisdom  and 
knowledge  so  to  present  the  truth  that  it  may  redound  to  Thy 
Glory  and  the  good  of  this  community.  Grant  that  very  soon 
we  may  be  permitted  to  dedicate  a  house  to  the  glory  of 
Thy  Name. 

Mond.  29.  Am  tired  and  worn  and  weary  and  sad.  I 
feel  as  I  imagine  the  patriarch  felt  when  he  exclaimed,  "O, 
that  I  had  wings."  The  indifference  and  trifling  character  of 
some  of  the  members  of  the  church  is  almost  unbearable. 
O  Lord,  give  wisdom  and  common  sense  to  those  who  seem 
to  lack,  and  stir  them  to  a  proper  appreciation  of  their  high 
privileges !  Help  me  to  speak  plainly  to  such  members,  and 
give  me  wisdom  to  show  them  their  duty !  If  I  were  properly 
sustained  by  the  membership,  O,  how  much  more  I  might 
accomplish ! 

May  i.  The  first  day  of  May!  How  rapidly  the  months 
pass  away.  O,  my  soul,  awake  to  a  sense  of  the  shortness  of 
life,  and  put  on  thy  strength  for  renewed  exertions  in  the 
Master's  work!  I  am  depressed  and  cast  down.  O,  for  a 
stronger  faith !  If  I  am  in  the  line  of  duty,  why  need  I  be  dis- 
consolate? O,  Precious  Saviour,  hold  Thou  me  up,  and  take 
from  me  all  thoughts  of  resigning  my  place  as  pastor  of  this 
mission.  Lectured  this  evening  from  Psalm  92. 

Frid.  3.— 

"How  vain  are  all  things  here  below, 
How  false  and  yet  how  fair." 


62  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

I  realized  this  last  night  at  Mrs.  K.'s  company.  I  did  not 
feel  at  home  on  account  of  the  worldliness  of  the  entertain- 
ment. If  I  did  wrong  to  remain,  O  Father,  forgive  me ! 

Sunday  12.  Nine  and  twenty  years  old  to-day.  Blessed 
be  God  for  His  protecting  care  and  forgiving  mercy. 

Thursd.  16.  Sad  and  gloomy !  Bro.  Passavant  is  here  to 
meet  the  council  of  my  church  and  urge  upon  them  adherence 
to  the  Pittsburg  Synod.  He  says  our  leaving  that  body  will 
result  in  the  establishment  of  a  second  mission.  I  said  to 
him:  "God  speed  the  work,  and  make  it  a  success!"  If  my 
council  and  people  will  accept  my  resignation.  I  have  no 
desire  to  remain  in  Wheeling ;  but  if  not,  and  the  Lord  con- 
tinues to  bless  my  work  then  I  will  remain.  "I  cannot  do 
otherwise,  God  help  me!"  O,  how  painful  to  break  with  such 
brethren  as  Dr.  Passavant,  Roth,  and  others.  For  them  per- 
sonally, I  must  entertain  feelings  of  the  deepest  love.  God 
bless  them ! 

Sat.  18.  Five  years  to-day  since  I  first  set  foot  in  Wheel- 
ing. 

"Here  I  raise  my  Ebenezer 
Hither  by  Thy  help  I've  come." 

How  different  my  feelings  now  from  what  they  then  were. 
How  many  and  great  have  been  the  changes!  How  unde- 
serving and  unworthy  I  am,  and  have  been,  of  God's  great 
mercy  to  me. 


DR.  BARNITZ  IN  1867. 


AN  OIvD-FASHIONED  DIARY.  63 

Mond.  20.  Called  on  Mrs.  Jno.  L.,  with  whom  I  dined 
just  five  years  ago  to-day.  How  kind  she  has  been  to  me  in 
the  years  which  have  passed  away!  At  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Sent 
as  delegate  to  Montreal. 

Wed.  22.  I  find  my  journal  takes  too  much  of  my  time, 
and  must  therefore  give  up  the  idea  of  making  daily  records. 
I  will,  however,  endeavor  to  note  any  important  changes  in 
my  daily  life,  and  still  have  hope  to  keep  up  the  connected 
history.  May  God,  Our  Father,  continue  to  guide  and  direct 
me  to  His  praise  in  all  I  undertake,  for  Jesus  sake.  Amen. 

The  next  entry  is : 

Frid.,  May  31.  Received  my  mother's  picture  to-day.  O, 
how  emaciated  she  looks !  How  thin  those  hands  which  have 
so  often  ministered  to  my  wants!  How  sunken  those  eyes 
which  have  so  often  looked  in  tenderness  upon  me!  God 
bless  my  mother!  In  her  declining  years  comfort  her  with 
still  more  comfort  and  hope.  And  is  it  so?  Is  mother  really 
passing  away  so  rapidly?  Must  I  soon  follow  her  to  the 
grave?  Great  Comforter,  help  me  to  lean  on  Thee! 

Thursday,  Aug.  8.  At  Gettysburg.  Commencement  Day. 
Many  dear  friends  present.  At  noon  received  dispatch  an- 
nouncing the  purchase  of  the  splendid  church  site  at  corner 
4th  and  John  St.  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest! 


64  SAMUEX   BACON    BARNITZ. 

Sat.  Aug.  10.  At  my  York,  Pa.,  home.  Received  a  cordial 
greeting  from  mother  and  all  the  friends.  Oh,  how  gratify- 
ing is  this  to  me.  Spent  the  evening  with  L.  S.  Lord,  make 
known  Thy  holy  will! 

Sund.  Aug.  u.  (York,  Pa.)  Preached  for  Bro.  Baum. 
Fifty  years  since  the  establishment  of  Sunday  Schools  in 
York,  Pa.  Uncle  Sam'l  Bacon  organized  the  first  school, 
and  by  the  blessing  of  God,  I  am  here  to  celebrate  the  fiftieth 
anniversary.  O,  what  mercy  flows  from  Heaven. 

Sunday,  Aug.  25.  Again  at  my  Wheeling  home.  Lovely 
day!  Preached  upon  the  harvest  season.  Sunday  School 
quite  pleasa-nt.  O,  Lord,  increase  my  faith !" 

Thus  ends  the  last  entry  iv  the  journal.  A  prayer 
for  faith.  Through  all  the  bodily  weakness,  to  which 
reference  is  often  made,  and  the  consequent  despond- 
ency of  the  spirit,  there  is  still  running  the  cry  of  tri- 
umph, the  hunger  for  souls,  the  desire  to  build  a  house 
of  worship  for  God's  glory,  and  to  make  the  Wheeling 
Mission  a  complete  success.  These  were  heroic  days. 
The  Apostles  have  had  at  least  one  successor  in  our 
time.  Noble,  self-sacrificing,  devoted,  we  shall  not 
soon  see  his  like  again  in  our  church. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


AN    IMPARTIAL    ESTIMATE. 

Now  that  the  work  at  Wheeling  is  coming  to  a 
close,  we  can  sum  up  the  result  of  twenty  years'  fidel- 
ity. There  is  another  score  of  years  in  a  wider  field 
and  then  the  life  account  is  closed.  It  dwindles  away 
looking  back,  but  those  who  knew  the  worker  can 
recall  how  full  were  the  days  and  nights  of  travel, 
toil,  plans,  wrestlings  with  tangled  affairs  in  missions, 
letters,  reports,  visits,  and  endless  details  of  appoint- 
ments for  himself  and  his  brethern.  He  was  the  cham- 
pion transportation  man  in  the  Lutheran  church.  He 
traveled  over  every  railway  in  the  United  States.  If 
he  ever  paid  his  fare  it  must  have  been  due  to  an  acci- 
dent. He  had  passes  without  limit.  He  knew  person- 
ally many  of  the  leading  railway  men  both  East  and 
West.  They  knew  the  self-denying  work  of  the  man. 
They  honored  his  requests  for  transportation  at  re- 
duced rates  for  the  missionaries  and  their  families. 
He  saved  the  church  hundreds  of  dollars  annually  in 
this  item  alone.  His  bill  for  the  expenses  of  the 

65 


66  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

month,  when  presented  to  the  Board,  would  read: 
"Miles  traveled  during  the  month,  4,219 ;  cost  of  trans- 
portation, $000.00." 

It  is  told  of  him  that  he  once  volunteered  to  get  a 
poor  student  who  called  on  him  a  pass  to  his  destina- 
tion. They  went  together  to  the  office  of  the  General 
Manager.  In  a  few  minutes  the  beaming  face  of  Dr. 
Barnitz  appeared,  the  pass  in  hand.  The  student  ven- 
tured to  suggest,  as  they  walked  away:  "Doctor  Bar- 
nitz, you  have  a  good  deal  of  assurance !"  "Assur- 
ance?" the  Doctor  replied;  "my  young  friend,  that  is 
not  assurance — it  is  grace/' 

Returning  to  the  final  estimate  we  are  to  make  of 
the  splendid  work  at  Wheeling,  it  is  best  set  out  as  it 
was  once  described  by  Dr.  F.  W.  Conrad,  after  visit- 
ing the  field.  He  prepared  an  extended  editorial  on 
"Elements  of  Success  in  Mission  Work,"  which  ap- 
peared in  the  Lutheran  Observer  in  May,  1882.  With- 
out presenting  this  contemporary  judgment  in  full,  the 
summary  of  it  should  enter  into  the  permanent  record 
of  Dr.  Barnitz's  faithful  life-work. 

i.  Permanence  in  the  ministry.  The  mission  dur- 
ing nineteen  years  had  the  services  of  but  one  pastor. 
With  the  shiftings  of  a  borrowed  and  unscriptural 
itineracy  the  mission  would  either  have  had  a  sickly 
and  precarious  life  or  died  in  the  hands  of  its  ever- 
changing  doctors,  under  their  varied  prescriptions  and 
regimen. 


AN   IMPARTIAL  ESTIMATE.  67 

2.  Timely,  adequate  and  continued  assistance.   The 
congregation  could  raise  but  $150  for  the  pastor  the 
first  year,  to  which  the  Home  Mission  Board  added 
$200.    In  1880  the  mission  paid  $800  to  the  pastor,  and 
in  1881  became  self-supporting.     The  East  Pennsyl- 
vania Synod,  "A  Steward  of  the  Lord,"  the  Church 
Extension  Board,  and  special  friends,  lent  a  helping 
hand  in  procuring  the  lot  and  erecting  the  building. 

3.  Scriptural  benevolence.    Neither  the  poverty  of 
the  members,  nor  their  own  need  of  help,  was  regarded 
as  exempting  any  one  from  the  duty  of  giving  to  all 
the  benevolent  objects  supported  by  the  Synod. 

4.  Pastoral  collections.    Of  the  $3,950  paid  for  the 
lot,  $2,400  were  collected  through  the  personal  efforts 
of  Rev.  S.  B.  Barnitz,  mostly  in  Pennsylvania. 

5.  Special  contributions.     These  came  from  per- 
sonal friends,  members  of  other  denominations  and 
citizens  of  Wheeling,  who,  although  strangers,  became 
its  friends  and  supporters. 

6.  Churchliness.     It  was  originated  by  a  Lutheran 
synod  (Virginia),  adopted  the  basis  and  constitution, 
and  practiced  the  usages  recommended  by  the  General 
Synod.     It  had  a  chancel  with  railing,  reading-desk 
and  baptismal  font.     Its    pastor    preached    Lutheran 
doctrines,  conducted  divine  service  according  to  the 
Book  of  Worship,  catechised  the  young,  and  celebrated 
the  Church  Festivals  and  the  anniversary  of  the  Refor- 
mation. 


68  SAMUICI,   BACON    BARNITZ. 

7.  Loyalty.     When,  in  1866,  the  majority  of  the 
Pittsburg  Synod  undertook  to  transfer  the  pastors  and 
congregations  belonging  to  it  from  the  General  Synod 
to  the  General  Council,  Mr.  Barnitz  and  others  pro- 
tested against  it;  and  when  this  proved  unavailing, 
they  united  in  maintaining  the  connection  of  the  Pitts- 
burg  Synod,   according  to  its  constitution,   with  the 
General  Synod,  and  his  congregation  endorsed  their 
course,    remained    firm,    and    retained    its    connection 
with  the  General  Synod.     In  other  words,  Mr.  Bar- 
nitz and  his  struggling  mission,  in  this  peculiar  crisis, 
and   under   extraordinary   pressure,   maintained   their 
loyalty,  and  have  borne  a  significant  part  in  developing 
the  missionary  spirit  and  advancing  the  progress  of 
the  Pittsburg  Synod. 

8.  Catholicity.    The  pastor  and  people  did  not  en- 
trench themselves  in  a  sectarian  mud-fort  of  exclu- 
siveness,   but   cultivated   fraternal   relations,   and   co- 
operated  with   the   ministers   and   members   of   other 
orthodox  Protestant  denominations  in  every  good  word 
and  work. 

9.  Philanthropy.   This  is  broader  than  ecclesiastical 
enclosures,  and  takes  in  all  mankind.    Mr.  Barnitz  did 
not  confine  his  efforts  to  purely  denominational  bounds, 
but  went  out  into  the  highways  and  hedges,  and  min- 
istered not  only  to  the  moral  but  to  the  physical  neces- 
sities of  the  poor  and  fallen.   He  sympathized  with  the 
intemperate,   and  became   instrumental   in   reforming 


AN   IMPARTIAL   ESTIMATE.  69 

many,  and  rescuing  them  from  a  drunkard's  grave. 
He  was  the  prime  mover  in  establishing  the  Children's 
Home  of  the  City  of  Wheeling,  presided  over  it  as  its 
president.  His  influence  was  also  felt  in  advancing 
popular  education,  and  in  -improving  the  condition  of 
the  poor,  entrusted  to  the  care  of  the  city  authorities. 

10.  Religious  enterprise.  His  experience  and 
knowledge  of  mission  work  brought  his  services  into 
requisition  at  missionary  conventions  and  synods.  He 
stands  at  the  head  of  our  most  progressive  Sunday 
School  workers,  and  has  taken  a  leading  part  in  in- 
augurating the  new  departure  in  the  Sunday  School 
periodicals  and  publications  of  the  Church.  He  has 
been  the  master  spirit  at  our  general  Sunday  School 
conventions,  and  has  done  more  than  any  other  man 
in  making  our  Sunday  School  work  and  literature 
known,  and  in  securing  our  denominational  right  of 
representation  on  the  committee  of  the  International 
Series  of  uniform  lessons,  by  his  presence  and  efforts 
at  the  meeting  of  the  National  Sunday  School  Con- 
vention of  the  United  States  and  Canada. 

All  the  foregoing  and  much  more  Dr.  Conrad  gives 
as  part  of  the  history  of  the  Wheeling  Mission,  illus- 
trating the  elements  of  success  necessary  in  all  mission 
work,  and  vindicating  as  he  says  in  the  end,  "the 
Board  of  Home  Missions  and  Church  Extension  for 
the  assistance  they  rendered  this  good  work,  and  to 
encourage  them  to  go  forward  in  establishing  city 


7O  SAMUEL    BACON    BARNITZ. 

missions,  as  well  as  to  stimulate  our  pastors  and  con- 
gregations to  redouble  their  efforts  and  quadruple  their 
contributions  to  the  cause  of  Home  Missions  and 
Church  Extension." 


CHAPTER  IX. 

TRACT  NO.  217. 

Among  the  publications  issued  by  the  General  Lit- 
erature Committee  of  the  Woman's  Home  and  Foreign 
Missionary  Society  of  our  church  is  Tract  No.  217. 
This  is  a  pen  picture  of  Dr.  Barnitz,  especially  as  he 
was  known  to  a  member  of  his  school  in  Wheeling. 
Mrs.  P.  A.  Heilman,  wife  of  the  pastor  of  St.  Paul's 
in  Baltimore,  is  the  author  of  this  beautiful  tribute  to 
the  fidelity  of  her  former  pastor.  Mrs.  Heilman  says 
that  she  had  the  privilege  of  years  of  observation,  and 
desired  to  bear  witness  to  the  "full,  rich  life  of  Mr. 
Barnitz  as  a  pastor — to  the  nobility  of  soul  and  teach- 
ing, to  the  ever  patient  attendance  upon  the  children 
and  families  of  his  Wheeling  Mission."  The  incidents 
recited  in  this  tract  are  so  strikingly  characteristic  of 
the  man  that  several  of  them  are  reproduced  from  one 
who  was  a  former  member  of  the  Wheeling  school, 
of  which  she  says :  "He  made  it  what  it  was  acknowl- 
edged to  be,  the  greatest  Sunday  School  in  the  State 
of  West  Virginia." 


2  SAMUEt   BACON    BARNITZ. 

One  night,  in  his  early  ministry,  he  was  called  to 
visit  a  sick  person.  Finding  that  a  thief  had  entered 
his  boarding-house  and  stolen  his  hat,  he  covered  his 
head  with  a  coat  and  walked  more  than  a  mile  through 
the  streets  of  the  city  to  comfort  and  help  the  dis- 
tressed family. 

Through  an  accident  a  Swedish  family  was 
stranded  in  Wheeling.  No  one  could  talk  with  them. 
Mr.  Barnitz  found  them  in  great  distress,  the  mother 
sick,  the  children  hungry,  the  father  with  no  work. 
Mr.  Barnitz  soon  had  bread  for  the  children  and  work 
for  the  father.  Death  robbed  the  poor  one  soon  of  the 
the  mother,  who,  though  she  could  not  talk  with  the 
pastor,  could  understand  sympathy  and  could  feel  the. 
loving  prayers,  and  died  with  mute  thanks  in  her  eyes. 
In  scenes  like  these  was  this  great-hearted  man  con- 
tinually using  up  his  strength  and  energy.  He  never 
seemed  so  tall  and  great  as  when,  holding  by  the  hand 
a  little  girl  of  six  years,  he  led  a  procession  of  Orphan 
Home  children  to  the  cemetery  to  see  one  of  their  num- 
ber laid  in  the  short  grave. 

When  his  unlettered  housekeeper,  who  loved  and 
cared  for  his  motherless  children,  was  stricken  with 
sudden  death,  he  honored  her  with  a  dignified  funeral 
from  his  own  home.  He  brought  from  Canton,  O.,  a 
Lutheran  minister  to  conduct  the  burial  service,  while 
he  and  his  children  took  the  mourners'  place  in  the  pro- 
cession. 


TRACT  NO.  217.  73 

Two  workmen  talking  one  day  of  the  need  of  rain, 
one  said :  "It  will  not  rain  to-morrow  for  Barnitz  has 
his  picnic  and  he  has  been  praying  a  week  for  fair 
weather." 

When  the  infant  class  was  needing  enlarging  he 
laid  it  before  the  school  with  prayer,  asking  each 
scholar  to  buy  or  beg  a  brick.  On  the  next  Sunday 
7,000  bricks  were  piled  up  on  the  platform,  several 
cartloads  being  sent  in  during  the  week. 

.  Dr.  Barnitz  had  great  power  over  an  audience.  At 
a  great  anniversary  once  the  Christmas  tree  took  fire. 
There  was  a  panic  threatening.  Instantly  the  com- 
manding voice  rang  out,  "Sing!"  Raising  one  hand 
to  quiet  the  audience  and  using  the  other  to  beat  the 
time,  he  led  with  his  powerful  voice,  while  the  blaze 
was  quickly  extinguished. 

One  Sunday  morning  an  infant  was  presented  at 
the  altar  for  baptism.  As  he  finished  pouring  the 
water  on  its  head,  the  laughing  babe  seized  and  held 
one  of  his  fingers.  The  ready  smile  on  many  faces 
was  checked  as  Mr.  Barnitz  with  simple  words  prayed  : 
"Oh,  Lord  Jesus,  as  this  little  child  has  laid  hold  on  the 
hand  of  Thy  servant,  so  may  it  ever  cling  to  Thee  who 
alone  art  able  to  hold  us  safe  amid  the  temptations  of 
the  world." 

Not  the  slightest  tendency  to  irreverence  was  ever 
tolerated  by  Mr.  Barnitz.  Though  witty  by  nature  and 
possessing  a  fund  of  spicy  humor  which  made  him  a 


74  SAMUEX   BACON    BARNITZ. 

charming  companion,  he  was  never  guilty  of  misplaced 
jesting. 

"And  thus  he  went,  this  man  of  God,  over  the  city, 
into  homes  and  lives,  helping,  encouraging,  rebuk- 
ing in  love,  strengthening  in  faith." 

Those  who  knew  Dr.  Barnitz  best  agree  with  the 
writer  of  this  tract  that  his  great  work  was  in  his 
sympathy  for  every  kind  of  distress.  This  it  was 
that  brought  him  so  close  to  the  hearts  of  the  mis- 
sionaries. He  knew  their  sufferings.  He  had  himself 
waded  in  the  same  waters. 


CHAPTER  X. 


CALLED  AS  WESTERN   SECRETARY. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  General  Synod  in  Altoona, 
in  June  1881,  the  Board  of  Home  Missions  was  author- 
ized to  employ  a  Western  Traveling  Missionary,  who 
v.as  subsequently  designated  the  Western  Secretary, 
as  distinguished  from  the  General  Secretary,  who  re- 
sided in  Baltimore. 

As  if  by  pre-arrangement,  certainly  by  the  unani- 
mous feeling  of  special  fitness  in  the  man,  Rev.  Samuel 
B.  Barnitz,  of  Wheeling,  W.  Va.,  was,  August  4th, 
1881,  elected  to  fill  the  newly  created  office.  Dr.  Bar- 
nitz  took  the  call  as  a  call  from  God  to  a  wider  field 
of  usefulness.  After  prayer,  consultation  with  his 
brethren  in  the  ministry,  and  conference  with  his  own 
congregation  at  Wheeling,  he  decided  to  accept  the 
call  extended  to  him,  and  so  notified  the  Board. 

For  nearly  twenty  years  he  had  known  the  lights 
and  shades  of  a  missionary's  life  in  a  busy  city.  He 
had  seen  his  church  grow  from  a  feeble  folk  to  be  a 


7  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

great  power  in  the  community.  But  strong  as  the  ties 
were  that  bound  him  to  the  smaller  parish  he  saw  the 
greater  work,  heard  the  voice  of  God,  and  without 
much  difficulty  decided  that  duty  called  him  away. 

The  farewell  meeting  in  Wheeling  indicated  the 
strong  hold  which  the  missionary  pastor  had  gained 
upon  all  the  community.  The  largest  church  in  the 
city  (Presbyterian)  scarcely  held  the  people  who  came 
without  regard  to  denomination.  There  were  repre- 
sentatives present  from  every  church  in  Wheeling,  as 
well  as  from  the  Sunday  School,  temperance  and  phil- 
anthropic workers.  Judge  Johnson,  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  presided.  The  ministers  of  all  churches  were 
on  the  pulpit,  the  Matron  and  children  from  the  Chil- 
dren's Home  being  on  the  right  of  the  pulpit.  The 
judge  expressed  their  universal  regret  at  parting,  re- 
ferring eloquently  to  "Mr.  Barnitz's  long  and  active 
career  as  a  Christian  minister  and  philanthropist  in  our 
midst,  and  assured  him  that  so  long  as  there  was  a 
Sabbath  School  in  Wheeling,  so  long  as  there  was  a 
man  here  who  had  been  reclaimed  from  a  fallen  and 
profligate  life,  so  long  as  there  was  an  orphan  who 
had  been  aided  and  comforted  by  his  hand  and  voice, 
he  would  be  remembered  with  kindly  feelings." 

The  others  from  all  churches  followed  in  turn  to 
say  they  were  losing  an  untiring  laborer,  a  wise  coun- 
sellor and  a  sympathetic  friend. 

In  his  response  Dr.   Barnitz  modestly  disclaimed 


AS  WESTERN   SECRETARY.  77 

right  to  so  much  praise  for  his  work  in  Wheeling. 
The  sorrows  of  life  through  which  God  had  led  him 
from  his  childhood,  he  declared,  had  prepared  him  for 
the  work.  When  he  first  came  to  Wheeling  some  one 
told  him  there  was  no  work  for  him  in  the  city.  He 
replied  that  it  was  very  strange  since  there  were  in 
Wheeling  twenty  thousand  people  who  never  went  to 
the  House  of  God. 

Thus  sorrowfully  but  confidently  he  went  forth  to 
the  great  West  that  was  calling  him.  He  had  much 
comfort  in  the  great  changes  wrought  in  the  twenty 
years  of  his  ministry,  and  often  looked  back  upon  those 
years  with  pleasure. 

The  young  men  who  entered  the  ministry  from 
Wheeling  through  the  influence  of  Dr.  Barnitz's  teach- 
ings were:  Rev.  C.  A.  Britt,  Rev.  F.  S.  Delo,  Rev.  F. 
G.  Knapp,  Rev.  J.  N.  Zimmerman,  and  Rev.  F.  W.  E. 
Peschau,  D.  D. 

Thus  ended  the  first  score  of  years  in  the  busy 
pastor's  life.  He  had  been  led  of  God  in  preparation 
for  the  larger  field  of  the  next  score  of  years.  He 
entered  upon  his  new  duties  in  the  same  Fall,  render- 
ing his  first  report  to  the  Board  of  Home  Missions  on 
the  2 ist  of  November,  1881. 

From  that  date  to  the  end  of  his  service,  June  1 2th, 
1902,  the  Western  Secretary  was  in  constant  touch 
with  the  Board  of  Home  Missions.  He  attended  fre- 


78  SAMUEl,   BACON    BARNITZ. 

quently  in  person  the  sessions  of  the  Board.  He  ren- 
dered a  full  and  detailed  statement  at  each  meeting 
of  the  Board  of  all  his  official  acts  during  the  preced- 
ing month,  and  thus  laid  before  the  official  representa- 
tives of  the  General  Synod  whatever  facts  bore  on  the 
questions  covering  the  territory  over  which  his  com- 
mission reached.  He  took  up  his  residence  at  Des 
Moines,  Iowa,  whither  he  removed  with  his  family, 
becoming  members  of  St.  John's  Lutheran  church  in 
that  city.  Elsewhere  in  this  volume  it  will  be  seen 
that  in  one  of  the  years  of  Dr.  Barnitz's  service  in  the 
Western  field  he  did  not  spend  more  than  three  active 
weeks  of  the  year  at  Des  Moines  with  his  family,  so 
closely  and  constantly  was  he  devoted  to  the  great 
work  he  had  undertaken. 

Eleven  times  was  he  unanimously  elected  to  the 
same  position.  Even  in  this  Secretarial  office  he  still 
retained  the  winning  qualities  which  marked  him  as 
missionary  and  pastor.  He  was  enlarging  his  sphere 
of  usefulness.  He  became  preacher,  pastor,  mission- 
ary and  secretary,  and  for  nearly  twenty-one  years 
gave  all  his  strength,  time  and  thought  to  the  one 
purpose  of  his  call,  to  build  the  church  where  there 
was  none,  and  to  "strengthen  the  things  that  remain." 

The  full  harvest  from  this  faithful  sowing  will  not 
be  gathered  till  the  end  of  time  at  the  final  in-gathering. 
It  must  be  borne  in  mind,  in  estimating  the  personal 
sacrifices  involved  in  this  long  term  of  devotion,  that 


AS  WESTERN   SECRETARY.  79 

Dr.  Barnitz  was  one  of  the  most  domestic  and  home- 
loving  men.  He  was  devoted  to  wife  and  children, 
yet  he  gave  himself  unreservedly  to  the  work  of  Field 
Secretary.  He  was  in  the  field  almost  without  a  break 
for  twenty-one  years. 


CHAPTER  XL 


A   MODEL   SECRETARY. 

Doctor  Barnitz  was  in  many  respects  an  ideal  sec- 
retary, especially  for  the  wide  field  which  he  covered 
in  the  West.  He  was  a  tireless  traveler.  He  planned 
out  his  campaigns  in  advance,  like  a  missionary  Na- 
poleon. 

There  were  certain  things  that  entered  into  the 
making  of  the  model  secretary.  Dr.  Barnitz  was  most 
punctilious  on  such  points  as  promptness,  exactness, 
always  meeting  every  engagement,  replying  to  every 
communication,  acknowledging  every  attention.  In 
all  these  things  he  caught  the  railway  spirit  and  culti- 
vated the  methods  of  careful  business  men.  It  would 
be  impossible,  within  the  limits  of  a  brief  outline  such 
as  is  here  attempted,  to  set  out  in  order  a  detailed 
account  of  the  journeyings  and  labors  of  Dr.  Barnitz. 
His  reports  to  the  Board  he  served  make  a  wealth  of 
material  in  which  the  historian  of  the  Lutheran 
Church's  development  may  mine  in  a  coming  genera- 
tion. The  aim  of  this  sketch  is  only  to  present  a  rapid 
survey  of  the  most  striking  events  of  the  life  and  toils 


A    MODEL,   SECRETARY.  8 1 

of  this  man  of  God.  The  missions  established  on  the 
Western  field  might  have  all  been  given  by  name. 
They  would  have  made  a  goodly  showing,  as  their  num- 
ber is  legion.  The  list  of  these  missions  which  have 
become  self-supporting  might  have  been  enumerated, 
together  with  the  amounts  they  annually  contribute  to 
the  support  of  the  Boards  of  the  church.  These  facts 
and  figures  are  all  recorded  in  the  proper  place.  They 
have  been  reported  to  the  General  Synod  at  sundry 
times  and  are  too  much  in  the  nature  of  dry  statistics 
to  be  made  a  part  of  this  history. 

The  story  of  his  work  in  the  West  for  twenty 
years  is  really  the  history  of  our  church  in  the  West 
during  that  time.  It  was  the  day  of  small  things  when 
Dr.  Barnitz  began  his  duties  as  the  first  Western  Sec- 
retary. There  had  been  pioneers  who  did  much  in  a 
sporadic  way,  but  he  first  brought  the  entire  field  from 
the  Ohio  to  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  later  the  Pacific 
Coast  to  the  attention  of  the  church. 

He  was  so  completely  identified  with  all  that  was 
done  in  these  formative  years  that  a  history  of  his 
work  would  be  a  history  of  all  the  church  development 
on  this  vast  territory. 

His  voluminous  reports  now  in  possession  of  the 
Home  Mission  Board  will  one  day  be  used  for  the 
purpose  of  showing  the  methods  we  have  adopted  to 
develop  a  great  church  from  diverse  and  scattered 
materials.  He  kept  his  eyes  upon  the  whole  field ;  he 


82  SAMUEX   BACON    BARNITZ. 

informed  himself  as  to  its  needs ;  he  gave  this  informa- 
tion to  the  Board,  and  to  the  church ;  he  brought  maps, 
charts  and  banners  with  him  to  the  synods  to  stimulate 
interest  in  his  work.  He  believed  in  reaching  the  mind 
through  the  eye  as  well  as  by  the  ear.  In  looking  over 
the  files  of  the  Wheeling  city  papers  for  the  twenty 
years  of  Dr.  Barnitz's  missionary  service  in  that  city, 
this  thought  is  impressed  on  one.  For  a  long  time  he 
is  the  only  minister  in  the  city  who  advertised  his 
Sunday  services.  Throughout  his  entire  ministry  he 
was  always  watchful  that  the  newspaper  be  used  as  a 
help  in  his  work.  Not  for  his  own  glory  but  to  adver- 
tise the  work  and  reach  men. 

He  would  plan  out  a  trip  of  10,000  miles  of  travel, 
arrange  with  missions  and  missionaries  for  the  dates, 
fix  every  detail  of  the  journey  beforehand,  preach  and 
lecture  at  fifty  points  by  the  way,  write  a  full  report  of 
it  all  for  the  next  meeting  of  the  Board,  and  not  seem 
to  be  busy  to  those  who  casually  met  him  on  the  jour- 
ney. "It  was,"  as  Dr.  Charles  Albert  described  it  after 
making  such  a  trip  in  company  with  Dr.  Barnitz,  "a 
wonderful  example  of  that  painstaking  care  and  splen- 
did executive  power  which  characterized  him  and  was 
one  of  the  sources  of  his  strength." 

By  all  legitimate  means  he  sought  to  awaken  an 
interest  in  his  cause,  arouse  enthusiasm,  stimulate  giv- 
ing and  multiply  himself  in  usefulness  to  God's  glory. 
He  noted  the  important  fields.  His  judgment  was  safe. 


§  5 

M 

a 


A    MODSI,   SECRETARY.  $3 

He  could  say  that  the  Board  should  abandon  a  field  as 
well  as  urge  the  inauguration  of  work.  He  did  not 
believe  in  wasting  the  church's  money  by  a  duplication 
of  machinery. 

In  one  of  his  early  visits  to  the  farther  Northwest 
he  was  impressed  with  the  wisdom  of  dividing  the 
territory  of  the  Pacific,  allowing  the  General  Council 
the  Northern  division,  the  General  Synod  to  develop 
California  and  the  Southern  territory.  To  this  view 
he  brought  the  Boards  and  the  compact  though  not 
absolutely  binding,  has  been  observed  ever  since.  Dr. 
Barnitz  made  visits  to  the  Northwest,  and  was  on  most 
friendly  terms  with  missionaries  of  all  branches  of  the 
church,  but  he  never  took  steps  to  establish  a  mission 
that  would  infringe  upon  the  territory  of  any  other 
Board.  He  was  the  soul  of  honor  in  every  personal 
and  synodical  engagement. 

He  early  felt  the  need  of  a  ministry  trained  upon 
the  field  over  which  he  had  the  supervision.  For  this 
reason  he  strongly  advocated  the  establishment  of  a 
college  and  theological  school  at  some  point  west  of 
the  Missouri  River.  He  was  active  in  founding  Mid- 
land College  in  1887,  and  the  Western  Theological 
Seminary  in  1893,  being  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Education  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

The  president  of  Midland  College  at  the  time  of 
Dr.  Barnitz's  death,  Rev.  J.  A.  Clutz,  has  justly  said: 


#4  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNIT2. 

"He  was  one  of  the  most  active  and  zealous 
of  the  friends  of  the  new  institutions,  and  gladly 
gave  time  and  influence,  and  means  also,  according 
to  his  ability,  to  place  them  upon  a  safe  and  per- 
manent basis.  And  now  he  has  gone,  but  his  work 
and  influence  will  abide,  his  name  and  memory 
will  be  remembered  and  cherished  in  all  the  years 
to  come,  as  of  one  who  wrought  unselfishly  and 
wisely  for  the  building  up  of  the  church  and  the 
glory  of  God.' 

The  Board  of  Education  when  it  came  to  take 
action  upon  the  death  of  Dr.  Barnitz,  its  vice-president 
and  a  member  of  the  Executive  Committee,  called  the 
attention  of  the  General  Synod  to  the  fact  that  he  was 
one  of  the  charter  members  of  that  Board,  and  fur- 
ther that  he  had  never  been  absent  from  its  biennial 
meeting.  Nothing  could  better  indicate  the  wide  reach 
of  the  man's  influence  as  well  as  his  faithful  attention 
*o  every  duty,  even  the  smallest. 

He  left  a  bequest  for  the  Board  of  Education  so 
that  as  long  as  the  Board  continues  its  work  he  might 
have  a  small  share  in  aiding  its  noble  endeavors. 

It  was  a  touching  and  telling  evidence  of  the  con- 
fidence that  attended  all  his  goings  that  the  day  of  his 
death  a  letter  arrived  at  his  home  containing  a  check 
for  $1,000.00  for  the  work  of  the  Home  Mission  Board. 
All  along  his  ministry  the  stream  of  benevolence 


A    MODEL   SECRETARY.  85 

flowed  from  those  who  believed  in  the  sincerity  of  the 
man  and  knew  the  value  of  his  work. 

Nothing  could  divert  him  from  his  appointed  work. 
We  sat  for  hours  on  the  seats  that  lined  the  Washing- 
ton streets  watching  the  Inauguration  of  President 
Cleveland.  In  reality  it  was  a  prolonged  conference 
on  home  missions.  We  went  to  the  White  House  to 
attend  a  President's  evening  reception.  Above  the 
band,  the  crush  of  the  people  and  the  babble  of  the 
idiotic  multitude,  was  Dr.  Barnitz's  serious  word,  won- 
dering where  to  get  more  money  for  his  great  work. 
We  watched  the  legislators  in  the  Senate  halls,  but 
their  labors  seemed  to  him  dignified  trifling  beside  his 
greater  mission  to  make  the  country  righteous,  while 
they  were  aiming  only  to  make  it  prosperous.  He 
loved  his  home  as  much  as  any  man  who  ever  had  a 
home,  but  he  could  remain  away  from  it  for  weeks  at 
a  time  that  he  might  plant  a  new  mission  to  prepare 
men,  women  and  children  for  the  eternal  Home. 

Dr.  Barnitz  served  twenty  years  on  the  Executive 
Committee  of  the  International  Sunday  School  Com- 
mittee. He  helped  to  establish  the  Augsburg  Teacher, 
and  the  Sunday  School  Lesson  Helps,  editing  the  news 
department  of  the  Teacher  for  several  years.  He  was 
the  first  editor  of  The  Little  Ones,  and  brought  that 
child's  paper  to  a  large  circulation. 

He  was  once  called  to  the  presidency  of  the  Mid- 
land College,  the  building  of  which  he  zealously  pro- 


86  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

moted.  He  declined  this  call  from  purely  consci- 
entious convictions,  believing  that  he  could  do  most 
good  in  the  mission  field.  He  was  an  active  promoter 
of  the  work  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association 
in  its  earlier  days,  and  never  lost  his  deep  interest  in 
that  organization. 

In  addition  to  all  his  other  exacting  duties  Dr. 
Barnitz  lectured  several  seasons  at  the  original  Cha- 
tauqua,  and  was  one  of  the  active  founders  of  the  Rock 
River  Assembly  at  Dixon,  111. 


CHAPTER  XII. 
A  MODEL  SECRETARY'S  REPORT. 

Every  member  of  the  Board  of  Home  Missions, 
during  the  time  when  Doctor  Barnitz  was  the  Western 
Secretary,  will  understand  a  little  of  the  secret  of  the 
success  of  their  agent  in  the  field,  by  the  careful  reports 
that  were  sent  in  to  the  Board  each  month.  These 
papers  were  most  carefully  written.  They  covered 
every  point  of  the  field  touched  by  the  Secretary  during 
the  month.  Each  report  was  fully  indexed  so  that 
every  item  in  it  could  be  referred  to  at  once  by  the 
Secretary  of  the  Board.  The  missionaries  in  the  vari- 
ous stations  were  commended,  criticised,  recommended 
for  reduction  or  advance  in  allowance,  or  change  of 
station,  as  the  case  might  be,  with  such  complete 
knowledge  of  the  men  and  the  needs  of  the  field  as 
made  it  clear  to  all  the  Board  what  their  action 
should  be. 

These  reports  would  make  a  history  of  the  mission 
field  for  the  twenty  years  covered  by  Doctor  Barnitz's 
term  of  service.  It  has  been  recommended  that  they 
be  gathered  up  and  placed  in  the  Historical  Society  at 


88  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

Gettysburg.  The  day  will  come  when  they  would  be 
invaluable,  a  kind  of  Hallische  Nachrichten  of  West- 
ern missions  that  would  make  a  mine  of  information 
for  the  future  historian  of  the  church. 

In  order  to  give  the  people  of  our  congregations 
some  idea  of  the  faithfulness  with  which  their  home 
mission  money  is  used,  it  might  be  interesting  to  set 
forth  one  of  these  reports  in  the  detail  with  which  the 
Western  Secretary  sent  them  to  Baltimore  monthly. 
The  report  that  follows  was  taken  out  of  a  pile  in  the 
General  Secretary's  office,  selected  at  random,  and  is 
here  given  just  as  it  came  from  Dr.  Barnitz's  hand. 
For  obvious  reasons  the  names  of  persons  in  some 
cases  are  omitted.  The  index  is  also  omitted.  The 
Secretary  had  a  printed  heading  which  made  the  open- 
ing of  all  the  reports  identical  in  form.  The  lapse  of 
fourteen  years  since  this  report  was  prepared  will  make 
it  the  more  interesting,  in  comparison  with  the  present 
conditions. 

REPORT  OF  WESTERN   SECRETARY,  BOARD  OK  HOME  MISSIONS, 
GENERAL  SYNOD,  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  CHURCH  IN  U.  S. 

To  meeting  held  November  loth,  1891. 

I.     KANSAS.    A.    THE  SYNOD  OF  KANSAS. 

On  acount  of  a  railroad  detention,  I  did  not  reach  the 
Kansas  Synod  at  Emporia,  Ks.,  until  Saturday  noon,  Octo- 
ber 24.  This  was  a  matter  of  regret  to  me,  but  as  Home 


A  MobEi  SECRETARY'S  REPORT.  89 

Mission  interests  had  been  postponed  until  that  time,  and  as 
they  had  spent  a  day  or  more  "wrangling  over  the  synodical 
secretary  business,"  into  which  discussion  the  Board  might 
have  been  drawn,  it  was  perhaps  an  advantage  to  have  been 
detained. 

The  synodical  meeting  was  not  regarded  as  equal  to  the 
meetings  of  some  other  years,  as  the  "who  shall  be  greatest?" 
question  was  very  manifest,  and  there  were  disputings  about 
things  to  no  profit.  The  debate  on  "admitting  women  as 
delegates  to  conferences,"  occupied  nearly  a  day  —  the  debaters 
being  Rev.  F.  M  P.,  of  Topeka,  Ks.,  in  favor,  and  Rev.  J.  M. 
C.,  of  Kansas  City,  in  opposition. 

While  the  synod  raised  more  money  in  the  gross  than  they 
raised  in  1890,  they  have  fallen  short  on  apportionment,  but 
give  assurance  that  what  is  lacking  will  be  more  than  made 
up  this  year.  Times  are  still  very  hard,  the  new  and  splendid 
crops  not  yet  being  turned  into  money.  The  synod  rescinded 
the  action  of  last  year  concerning  the  evening  services  during 
the  convention  and  set  apart  two  evenings  for  the  hearing  of 
the  Secretaries.  The  congregation  and  pastor  at  Emporia 
demanded  that  the  general  benevolent  work  of  the  church  be 
presented  by  the  secretaries  of  the  various  Boards,  in  order 
that  the  people  might  hear  of  the  work  from  those  directly 
engaged  in  it. 


i.     BUNKER  HiUv,   EU.SWORTH,  HAYS   CITY,  AND  ADJACENT 

POINTS. 
It  is  proposed,  if  possible,  to  group  these  places,  and  for  a 


9O  SAMUEt   BACON    BARNITZ. 

time,  at  least,  place  them  under  the  care  of  one  or  two  pastors 
or  missionaries.  At  Ellsworth,  nearly  the  entire  congregation 
has  been  lost  by  removals,  and  all  the  points  have  suffered 
in  this  way.  Rev.  H.  L.  Yarger,  formerly  pastor  at  Ells- 
worth, secretary  of  synod,  and  member  of  Advisory  Mission 
Board,  will  visit  all  the  points  this  week,  and,  if  possible,  get 
me  a  complete  report  to  mail  with  this.  The  best  men  in  the 
synod  are  in  hearty  agreement  with  this  plan,  and  believe  that 
this  manner  of  supplying  the  field  will  hold  what  we  have  until 
other  members  can  be  added,  and  will  develop  new  territory 
in  the  country  near  the  -towns  and  county  seats.  Meanwhile, 
I  have  given  assurance  to  Rev.  H.  A.  K.  that  he  will  receive 
his  salary  at  the  rate  of  $200.00  per  year  from  Oct.  I,  until 
such  time  as  the  new  arrangement  can  be  reported  and  acted 
upon.  This  is  but  clue  him  as  a  most  faithful  and  self-sacri- 
ficing man,  especially  as  he  continues  to  do  the  work.  I  have 
urged  him  to  go  forward  with  the  work  of  building  at  Excel- 
sior, as  that  will  add  another  church  property  to  the  field  and 
make  more  permanent  the  organization  at  that  point.  Rev. 
E.  B.  K.  has  resigned  at  Hayes  City,  and  has  no  doubt  re- 
ported same  to  the  Board. 

2.    MINNEAPOLIS. 

The  delegate  from  this  mission  reported  "everything  in  as 
good  condition  as  can  be  expected,  with  no  pastor  on  the 
ground.  Sunday  School,  prayer  meeting,  and  W.  H.  and  F. 
M.  Soc.  kept  up  and  doing  well."  Rev.  J.  F.  S.  visited  the 
field  on  Sunday,  Oct.  24,  but  I  have  no  report  of  his  visit, 


A  MODEL  SECRETARY'S  REPORT.  91 

neither  of  impressions  received  or  made.  See.  of  Synod, 
Yarger,  will  also  visit  Minneapolis  at  an  early  date  and  make 
full  report. 

3.  MANCHESTER.  Rev.  J.  A.  B.  has  been  supplying  this  field 
since  the  removal  of  Rev.  J.  F.    A  young  man  from  the  Synod 
of  Indiana   (G.  C.),  just  ordained  by  the  Synod  of  Kansas, 
preached  for  the  congregations  Oct.  24,  with  a  view  of  becom- 
ing their  pastor.     Rev.  J.  P.,  former  missionary,   is  now  at 
Hardy,  Neb.    He  is  a  good,  straight,  self-sacrificing  man.    He 
had  left  Emporia  before  I  got  there,  so  that  I  could  not  have 
a  personal  interview  with  him.     Rev.  H.  L.  Y.  will  visit  this 
field  on  his  trip  to  Ellsworth. 

4.  CHAPMAN.    There  is  a  great  desire  on  the  part  of  the 
Advisory  Board  of  Synod  of  Kansas,  the   Synod  itself,  and 
the  congregation   at  Chapman   to  secure   a  good  pastor,  and 
one  of  some  ability.     This  is  a  necessity  in  order  to  give  our 
church  and  work  the  right  kind  of  standing  and  prestige  in 
Chapman.     The  town  has  one  of  the  State  Normal  Schools 
located   in   it,   with    several   hundred    students,    and   we   must 
therefore  have  a  good  man  in  order  that  tht  Lutheran  church 
be   properly   represented.     After   careful   inquiry,   I   am  con- 
vinced that  we  had  better  make  an  appropriation  of  two  hun- 
dred or  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  to  Chapman,  if  thereby 
we  can  secure  a  pastor  who  will  do  us  credit,  rather  than 
$100.00,   (or  no  appropriation  at  all),  for  a  man  who  cannot 
properly  represent   us.     Rev.   E.    B.    K.,   of   Hays   City,   Ks., 


92  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

preached  at  Chapman  October  24.     See  letter  from  Chapman, 
Ks.,  marked  A. 

5.  EMPORIA.    The  pews  have  been  placed  in  the  church  at 
Emporia,  and  now  our  House  of  Worship  at  that  place  is  a 
very  "gem."     The  wise  and  careful  builder,  Rev:  F.  D.  Alt- 
man,  has  in  Rev.  S.  G.  Dornblaser,  our  present  missionary,  a 
good    successor,    and    the    work    at   Emporia    is    doing   well. 
Though  the  Board  of  Church  Extension  is  pressing  for  the 
return  of  a  portion  of  their  loan,  the  congregation  feel  that 
their  first  duty  is  to  reduce  the  amount  asked  from  the  Board 
of  Home  Missions,  and  to  this  end  they  promise  to  work. 
Our  church  stands  well  in  Emporia. 

6.  LEAVENWORTH.     Rev.  F.  D.  A.  will  visit  Leavenworth 
this  week,   and  try  to  get  the  congregation  to   decide  on  a 
pastor.     If  Rev.   Mr.   C.,      of  Fairfield,  Iowa,  has  not  been 
called  to  Ft.  Madison,  the  congregation  at  Leavenworth  will 
likely  call  him.     If  he  is  not  available,  Bro.  A.  will  suggest 
Rev.  A.  J.  H.,  who  is  very  anxious  for  a  field  of  labor,  and 
whose  physical  condition  is  now  equal  to  hard  work. 

7.  OTTAWA  AND  GARNETT.     Synod  decided  to  grant  the 
request  of  these  congregations  for  a  separation,  and  I  had  in- 
serted in  the  resolution — "provided  no  additional  appropria- 
tion be  asked  from  the  Board  of  Home  Missions."    The  divi- 
sion is  to  take  place  by  mutual  consent  sometime  during  the 
year.      The  field  is  said  to  be  entirely  too  large  and  too  im- 
portant for  one  man.     There  are  also  neighboring  points  re- 


A  MODEL  SECRETARY'S  REPORT.       93 

ported,  which  the  pastor  at  Garnett  says  can  be  developed  and 
served  from  Garnett  Sunday  afternoons.  The  Board  of 
Church  Extension  have  given  the  congregation  at  Ottawa 
permission  to  move  the  church  building  to  a  more  central 
location,  and  it  is  thought  that  this  change,  and  the  fact  of  a 
number  of  new  Lutheran  families  moving  to  Ottawa,  will 
strengthen  our  work  in  this  good  county-seat.  See  letter 
marked  B.  It  will  not  surprise  me,  however,  if  an  additional 
appropriation  is  asked  for  Ottawa.  Rev.  D.  S.  A.  talks  of 
wanting  "one  of  the  best  men  that  can  be  had  for  Ottawa." 
I  kindly  warned  the  Synod  and  Advisory  Board  that  they 
must  not  ask  for  any  more  money  for  Kansas  Synod  territory 
than  they  have  been  receiving,  but  must  reduce  the  appro- 
priations in  favor  of  other  needy  States  and  territories. 

8.  VALLEY  FALLS.    The  parochial  report  from  this  mission 
was  said  at  synod  to  have  been  the  best  rendered  for  several 
years.     Especially  was  this  the  case  in  the  contributions. 

9.  WASHINGTON,  GREENLEAF,  AND  BARNES.    These  points 
have  all  been  temporarily  placed  under  the  supervision  of  Rev. 
J.  F.  S.,  pastor  at  Waterville.    The  "Joint  Synod  of  Ohio"  has 
sent  a  missionary  to  Washington,  Ks.,  who  has  almost  de- 
stroyed our  General  Synod  work  in  that  county-seat.    Between 
the  un-Lutheran,  Methodistic,  wild-fire  practices  of  Rev.  Mr. 
— .  and  the  conduct  of  this  Joint  Synod  "disturber  of  the 
peace"  of  Zion,  the  work  at  Washington  has  been  well  nigh 
destroyed.     There  will  be  an  effort  made  to  wrest  from  us 


94  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

the  parsonage  property,  but  the  hope  is  that  Rev.  Mr.  S.  can 
prtvent  it,  hold  together  our  faithful  ones,  and  perhaps  bring 
order  out  of  confusion. 

10.  WELUNGTON.  If  Rev.  Mr.  B.,  known  to  members  of 
the  Board,  is  satisfactory,  and  aid  to  the  amount  of  $75  or 
$100,  be  asked  for,  I  believe  it  will  be  wise  to  grant  it.  It 
will  have  an  admirable  effect  on  the  congregation  at  Perth, 
who  have  gotten  it  into  their  heads  that  "No  Board  cares  for 
them." 

12.  WICHITA.    Monday  night,  Oct.  26,  was  spent  with  this 
mission.     A  congregation  of  thirty  gathered  to  hear  of  our 
Home  Mission  work,  and  seemed  deeply  interested.    The  hall 
has  put  on  quite  a  changed  and  churchly  appearance  through 
the  efforts  of  the  faithful  women  of  the  little  flock.    ...    It 
seems  to  me  that  the  time  has  come  to  buy  property,  as  bot- 
tom prices  have  evidently  been  reached,  and  if  the  Board  of 
Church    Extension   could   but    see    this,    such    encouragement 
would  be  given  the  congregation  as  no  other  thing  can  give 
the  work  at  W.     The  missionary  is  making  great  sacrifices. 
The  family  are  evidently  doing  without  many  things  on  the 
table,  and  in  the  way  of  clothing,  to  enable  them  to  make 
ends  meet  and  keep  out  of  debt,  and  thus  keep  up  the  work 
and  their  own  reputation  for  honesty. 

13.  KANSAS    CITY.      CHILDREN'S    MEMORIAL.     The   main 
building  of  the  "Children's  Memorial"  at  Kansas  City  is  now 
under  roof,  and  the  work  of  completion  will  be  pushed  with 


A  MODEX  SECRETARY'S  REPORT.       95 

vigor.  The  edifice  will  be  completed  some  time  in  December, 
and  will  be  alike  creditable  to  the  mission  congregation  and 
our  Lutheran  Church. 

II.  MISSOURI.  A.  ST.  JOSEPH.  Document  marked  C  is 
the  report  of  Rev.  Dr.  J.  A.  Clutz,  on  the  visit  of  himself  and 
Rev.  B.  F.  Crounse  to  St.  Joseph,  Mo.  Letter  marked  D  from 
Rev.  Dr.  Charles  Martin,  of  St.  Joseph,  also  refers  to  the 
opening  of  a  mission  at  "St.  Joe."  .  .  .  Without  doubt,  the 
right  thing  to  do  is  to  send  a  missionary  to  St.  Joe,  having 
an  understanding  with  the  Board  of  Church  Extension  that 
they  will  enter  the  field  with  us,  following  up  our  work  by 
aiding  in  the  securing  of  church  property  at  an  early  day. 
Our  experience  everywhere  has  been  that  to  organize  without 
a  regular  pastor,  and  have  the  mission  wait  several  months — 
excepting  in  very  rare  cases,  where  good  supplies  can  be 
regularly  furnished — is  almost  ruinous.  Nearly  all  the  mis- 
sions supplied  by  students  from  the  Philadelphia  Seminary 
for  the  General  Council  Home  Mission  Committee,  remained 
vacant  after  the  students  returned  to  the  Seminary,  and  have 
gone  to  pieces.  If  we  have  a  field,  the  wise  thing  to  do  is 
to  occu-py  it  with  a  good  man,  just  as  soon  as  it  is  possible  to 
secure  him. 

B.  ST.  Louis.  SECOND  CHURCH.  There  are  some  develop- 
ments in  St.  Louis  of  a  very  interesting  character,  which 
point  to  the  early  establishment  of  a  second  English  Lutheran 
Church  of  the  General  Synod,  which  will  no  doubt  soon  m«an 


96  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNlTZ. 

a  third  and  fourth  one.  The  matter  must  not  be  spoken  of 
as  yet  outside  of  the  Board,  but  unless  all  indications  are  at 
fault,  the  second  church  movement  will  soon  be  inaugurated. 
....  The  colony  only  wait  Dr.  Rhodes'  sanction  to  begin  work. 
He  will  be  wise  to  give  it  his  entire  and  hearty  favor,  and  thus 
make  himself  and  St.  Marks  leaders  in  the  movement.  ...  If 
St.  Marks  will  only  encourage  the  second  church  movement 
it  will  be,  in  the  end,  an  advantage  to  them.  The  people  who 
favor  it  live  at  such  a  distance  from  St.  Marks  that  in  time 
they  will  be  lost  to  us,  while  a  second  church  in  their  locality 
will  save  them  to  the  Lutheran  Church.  This  movement  will 
be  watched  with  intense  interest,  as  it  means  much  for  the 
development  of  the  work  of  the  General  Synod  in  Missouri 
and  Central  Illinois.  Hail  the  Glad  Day! 

III.  THE  ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  SYNOD.  This  Synod  held 
its  first  convention  since  organization  in  St.  Paul's  (Woman's 
Second  Memorial)  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  Denver,  Col., 
Oct.  28,  1891,  and  for  a  young  and  small  synod  showed  much 
vigor  and  earnest  church  life.  Eight  pastors  and  three  lay- 
delegates  were  present,  and  three  pastors  absent,  one  on  ac- 
count of  great  distance,  two  on  account  of  sickness.  Of 
the  members  of  synod,  six  are  American,  two  German,  and 
three  Scandinavian.  We  have  a  most  inviting  field  in  Col- 
orado, if  only  suitable  ministers  can  be  secured  to  occupy  it. 
...  I  remained  with  the  synod  from  the  opening  to  the 
close,  and  helped  on  nearly  every  report,  advising  against 
many  thingt,  which  did  not  seem  wise,  and  suggesting  others 


A  MODEX  SECRETARY  S  REPORT.          97 

for  the  good  of  Zion.     The  members  of  the  synod  seemed 
deeply  grateful  to  the  Board  for  this  visit  and  five  days'  work. 

A.  DENVER,  i.  ST.  PAUL'S.  The  application  from  this 
congregation  will  ask  for  same  amount  as  last  year,  and  in- 
deed it  is  difficult  to  see  how  Rev.  and  Mrs.  K.  can  make 
ends  meet  and  not  belittle  the  work  even  with  this  appropria- 
tion. .  .  .  Amid  all  their  losses  by  removal,  and  all  their 
other  trials,  they  have  raised  $1,080.00  to  pay  on  their  church 
debt,  and  also  several  hundred  dollars  to  pay  on  the  parson- 
age. The  Sunday  School  pleased  me  very  much,  especially 
the  large  class  of  young  men.  So  also  did  the  young  people's 
society.  .  .  .  Rev.  and  Mrs.  K.,  and  indeed  the  whole  con- 
gregation, seem  to  regret  the  need  of  asking  the  same  amount 
as  last  year,  but  the  success  of  the  work  demands  that  the 
pastor  be,  at  least,  comfortable,  and  free  from  financial  em- 
barrassment. 

2  SCANDINAVIAN.  I  do  not  believe  that  we  are  justified 
in  continuing  an  appropriation  to  Rev.  H.  for  this  work.  We 
have  indeed  very  little  to  show  for  our  expenditure  in  the  way 
of  a  congregation  or  results.  .  .  .  He  says  they  have  $800 
interest  to  pay,  having  borrowed  money  with  which  to  build 
dwelling  houses  on  the  property.  Some  of  these  are  now 
vacant,  and  the  "investment"  is  not  proving  profitable.  I  told 
him  it  would  not  be  right  for  us  to  appropriate  Home  Mission 
money  to  keep  up  that  kind  of  speculation.  I  am  sure  that 
our  money  can  be  used  to  better  advantage  elsewhere. 


98  SAMUEL,   BACON    BARNITZ. 

B.  LEADVILLE.    There  is  evidently  not  much  harmony  and 
not  much  love  between  the  two  pastors,  Rev.  S.  and  Rev.  H. 
at  this  place.     I  told  Rev.  —  that  at  times  he  shows  the  very 
spirit  of  the  devil,  and  seldom  indeed  the  spirit  of  the  Master. 
He  says   Secretary  Hartman   suggested  a  visit  to  Leadville 
on  my  part  with  a  view  to  an  investigation  of  the  differences 
between  the  Swedish  and  Norwegian  congregations  worship- 
ing in  the  same  church,  and  an  adjustment  of  these  difficulties. 
Such  a  visit  would  be  futile  and  only  involve  our  Board  in 
matters  of  which  we  are  now  free.    .    .  .  The  question  in  dis- 
pute has  been  the  use  of  the  church  edifice  owned  by  the  Board 
of  Church  Extension,  and  we  do  well  to  keep  our  hands  out 
of  that  business. 

C.  COLORADO    SPRINGS.     Finding   that   Rev.   H.   had   not 
given  his  resignation  to  the  congregation  at  Colorado  Springs, 
I  told  him  that  he  should  send  it  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Church 
Council  at  once,  in  order  that  there  may  be  no  delay  in  filling 
the  vacancy.    ...    On  learning  of  Dr.  H.'s  resignation  I  at 
once  opened  correspondence  with  Rev.  F.  L.  S.,  of  Camden, 
Ind.,  concerning  his  accepting  that  mission,  and  believe  he 
will  do  so.    ...    The  Colorado  climate  may  be  the  means  of 
restoring  him  to  vigorous  health.    ...     A  man  of  the  order 
and  ability  of  Bro.   S.  will  soon  have  our  church  affairs  in 
solid  and  substantial  shape. 

D.  PUEBLO.     This  growing  manufacturing  city  ought  to 
be  occupied  at  an  early  day.    Not  only  for  the  sake  of  Pueblo, 


A  MODEL  SECRKTARYJS  REPORT.          99 


but  for  the  strengthening  of  the  Rocky  Mountain  Synod, 
should  we  have  an  earnest  American  missionary  in  this  city, 
and  also  for  the  sake  of  important  points  opening  up  in  the 
neighborhood.  The  more  we  look  at  and  study  our  Home 
Mission  field,  the  more  overwhelming  it  becomes,  and  the 
louder  comes  the  cry  and  command  to  occupy !  occupy ! ! 

E.  GYPSUM  AND  STARKVIUX  New  church  edifices  at 
these  places  are  nearly  ready  for  dedication — the  latter  under 
the  care  of  Rev.  Mr.  S.,  recently  ordained  by  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tain Synod. 

IV.  NEBRASKA.  A.  SIDNEY.  The  fearful  drouth  of  last 
year,  and  the  hard  times  incident  to  it,  make  it  difficult  to  keep 
up  the  support  of  a  pastor,  and  I  should  not  be  surprised, 
therefore,  if  the  same  amount  be  asked  as  heretofore.  There 
must  be  a  falling  off  in  the  contributions  of  the  congrega- 
tion, or  at  least,  no  increase,  until  the  new  crops  are  turned 
into  money.  All  these  things  must  be  taken  into  considera- 
tion with  the  application.  The  M.  E.  pastor  could  not  be  sup- 
ported last  year,  and  their  church  was  closed  part  of  the  time. 
This  left  our  church  the  only  one  having  regular  services. 

B.  BEATRICE.    This  mission  seems  much  encouraged  since 
the  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  Nebraska,  and  the  dedication  of 
their  House  of  Worship.     See  Letter  G. 

C.  PAWNEE.     See  letter  marked  H.    There  is  encourage 


IOO  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

ment  in  this  mission  also.     The  new  church  in  the  country 
congregation  will  be  dedicated  Sunday,  Nov.  15. 

V.  ILLINOIS.  A.  SOUTHERN  ILLINOIS  SYNOD.  As  already 
reported,  the  convention  of  the  S.  Ills.  Synod  for  1891,  was 
the  best  ever  held  by  that  body.  If  only  we  can  strengthen 
this  synod  by  opening  a  few  new  missions  and  thus  adding  a 
few  good  men,  the  results  in  a  few  years  will  be  most  fruitful. 
See  letter  marked  I. 

i.  CAIRO.  Where  shall  we  turn  for  a  good  man  for  this 
field?  We  ought  to  begin  operations  at  an  early  day,  lest  a 
very  favorable  opportunity  be  lost. 

B.  NORTHERN  ILLINOIS.  The  convention  of  this  synod  was 
also  a  most  excellent  one,  the  contributions  having  been  large- 
ly increased  over  former  years.  The  work  of  the  synod  has 
been  systematized  by  the  officers,  and  there  is  order  and  de- 
velopment. The  territory  is  one  of  the  richest  in  the  bounds 
of  the  General  Synod,  and  ought  to  be  a  much  greater  power 
than  it  is  in  all  our  church  work.  The  Freeport  mission  has 
been  a  prominent  factor  in  the  development  of  this  synod,  its 
pastor  being  "ready  to  every  good  work,"  and  earnest  in 
advocacy  of  all  the  benevolent  work  of  the  church.  At  my 
first  visit  in  1881  the  offerings  for  Home  Missions  were  $346.91, 
and  at  the  recent  convention  they  were  over  $800.00.  Every 
department  of  the  work  has  come  up  in  almost  the  same  pro- 
portion, and  this  is  gratifying. 


A  MODEL  SECRETARY'S  REPORT.      loi 

VI.  INDIANA.    A.     SYNOD  OF  NORTHERN  INDIANA.     This 
synod  shows  signs  of  improvement  superior  to  many  and  in- 
ferior to  none.     The  increase  in  contributions  over  1890  was 
thirty-five  per  cent,  and  the  spirit  of  the  convention  most  re- 
freshing.   It  was  good  to  be  there.    The  "toning  up"  is  quite 
marked,  and  is  due  to  efficient  and  wide  awake  officers,  to 
visitation  of  charges  by  Secretaries  and   Professors,  and  to 
the  new  men  sent  in  by  the  Board  of  Home  Missions,  and 
their  influence,  as  also  to  the  splendid  work  of  the  W.  H.  and 
F.  M.  Societies.     The  synod  considered  the  most  important 
matters  they  could   discuss  or  hear   of,   to  be  missions   and 
Christian  education,  and  to  these  they  gave  most  of  their  time. 

B.  OIJVE  BRANCH  SYNOD.  In  this  body  also  there  is 
progress,  marked  progress,  and  it  has  come  through  our  Home 
Mission  work  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  Richmond,  and  Indianapolis, 
Ind.,  etc.  Rev.  J.  W.  Kapp,  Prest,  has  been  most  efficient  in 
stirring  up  the  old  churches  and  looking  out  new  points.  The 
territory  is  one  vast  Home  Mission  field  of  richest  promise. 
Oh !  that  we  had  the  men  and  money  to  go  in  and  occupy  it. 

VII.  IOWA.    A.    SYNOD  OF  IOWA.    The  convention  of  1891 
was  one  marked  by  harmony  and  earnestness  in  every  depart- 
ment of  the  work.     Very  grateful  for  the  aid  granted  them 
by  the  Board,  they  feel  they  cannot  ask  more,  but  look  with 
desire  upon  Clinton,  Dubuque,  Ottumwa,  etc.,  as  most  prom- 
ising and  desirable  fields  for  Home  Mission  operations. 


1O2  SAMUEt   BACON    BARNIT2. 

1.  FORT  MADISON.     As  yet  I  have  no  report  from  Dr.  Z., 
concerning  congregational  meeting  held  Oct.  u,  1891,  at  which 
time  they  expected  to  elect  a  pastor  and  arrange  to  transfer 
the  property  to  the  General  Synod. 

2.  COUNCIL  BLUFFS.    This  new  mission  is  doing  splendidly, 
and  Rev.  G.  W.  S.  is  showing  himself  a  workman  that  need 
not  be  ashamed.     The  need,  the  pressing  need,  is  a  church 
property.    Application  has  been  made  to  the  Church  Extension 
Board  to  help  secure  a  lot. 

VIII.  MISCELLANEOUS.  A.  The  visitation  of  Synods  and 
conventions  of  W.  H.  and  F.  M.  societies  this  year  has  been 
very  cheering  and  encouraging.  In  not  a  single  instance  were 
there  reflections  upon  the  Board,  its  policy,  or  its  work.  I 
have  visited  eleven  synods  and  six  W.  H.  and  F.  M.  societies' 
conventions  and  'have  found  enthusiasm  on  all  sides. 

B.  October  meeting. 

C.  Luther  Day  Observer. 

D.  Box   Work,   etc.,   etc. 

That  the  November  meeting  may  be  "a  great  meeting," 
full  of  encouragement  to  every  member  of  the  Board  and  the 
whole  church,  is  the  prayer  of 

Yours  very  gratefully, 

SAM'L  B.  BARNITZ, 

W.  Scc'y. 
Des  Moines,  la.,  Nov.  7,  1891. 


A  MODEL  SECRETARY  S  REPORT.         1 03 

This  report  has  been  given  at  length,  though  seem- 
ing not  entitled  to  so  much  space  for  any  matter  con- 
tained in  it,  in  order  to  put  before  the  church  what  has 
been  designated  as  a  model  report.  The  detail  of  it  is 
its  value.  The  situation  at  each  point,  and  at  the 
synods  visited,  is  made  luminous.  The  information  is 
all  pertinent,  with  no  gossip,  and  no  bias.  Such  a  re- 
port makes  the  work  of  a  Board  member  comparatively 
easy.  The  men,  the  fields,  all  stand  before  the  Board 
in  such  clear  light  that  in  most  cases  the  only  thing  to 
do  is  to  act  on  the  recommendation  of  the  Secretary  in 
the  field.  The  marvel  of  Doctor  Barnitz's  work  is  in 
his  attention  to  all  the  details.  Nothing  escaped  him. 
No  fact  was  unimportant,  if  it  helped  to  open  a  field 
of  Christian  work. 

Month  by  month  he  poured  forth  a  stream  of  Jn- 
formation  concerning  men,  synods,  new  fields,  money, 
and  the  way  to  get  it,  plans  for  enlarging  the  work,  or 
contracting  in  some  instances  for  the  good  of  the 
church.  The  Board  -was  often  bewildered  by  the 
wealth  of  material,  and  frequently  the  whole  day  would 
be  occupied  in  disposing  of  the  business  created  by 
Dr.  Barnitz's  report  alone. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


IN   WEARINESS   AND   PAINFULNESS. 

The  best  way  to  understand  the  manner  of  the 
work  done  by  Dr.  Barnitz  as  Western  Secretary  will 
be  to  look  into  his  own  record,  made  at  the  time.  He 
no  longer  needed  to  keep  the  diary  such  as  he  had 
undertaken  at  Wheeling.  His  voluminous  reports  to 
the  Home  Mission  Board  at  Baltimore,  and  his  letters 
to  friends,  disclose  a  marvellous  activity.  He  seemed 
frequently  to  be  aware  that  he  could  not  long  maintain 
the  pace  at  which  he  was  then  traveling.  In  one  letter 
to  a  life-long  friend  in  Philadelphia,  he  writes  under 
date  of  March  20,  1894: 

"All  you  say  concerning  the  'rush'  and  'push'  for 
the  things  of  this  life  is,  alas !  too  true.  If  anything,  it 
is  more  true  of  the  West  than  of  the  East.  There  are 
times  when  I  fairly  long  for  a  little  more  rest,  a  little 
'let-up'  from  the  pressure  and  drive  by  day  and  by 
night.  'There  will  be  rest  by  and  by,'  is  a  hymn  I  love 
to  sing.  Since  March  3rd  I  have  preached  and  talked 
publicly  over  twenty  times,  besides  hundreds  of  miles 

I'M 


IN    WEARINESS   AND   PAIN^ULNESS.  IO5 

of  travel,  and  writing  scores  of  letters,  and  pages  of 
reports.  Amid  all  this  I  have  been  kept  well,  and  at 
times  greatly  refreshed  in  refreshing  and  helping 
others." 

There  were  no  lengths  to  which  he  would  not  travel 
if  he  had  a  clue  to  lead  to  something  helpful  for  his 
cause.  The  Board  remembers  well  one  case  in  the  year 
1899.  Dr.  Barnitz  received  a  letter  from  a  Lutheran 
layman  in  Minnesota,  hitherto  unknown  to  him,  enclos- 
ing a  gift  for  Home  Missions.  From  some  word 
dropped  in  the  letter  Dr.  Barnitz  concluded  that  here 
was  an  isolated  brother  longing  for  word  of  his  church. 
Busy  as  the  Western  Secretary  always  was,  he  at  once 
determined  that  it  was  his  duty  to  travel  hundreds 
of  miles  out  of  his  way  to  find  this  solitary  member  of 
the  church.  This  is  the  missionary  spirit.  For  Dr. 
Barnitz  to  have  an  impulse  for  good  was  to  follow  at 
once.  Hence  he  turned  his  course  to  Northern  Minne- 
sota. Here  is  what  he  writes  from  the  ground,  after 
he  had  made  the  journey: 

"Nov.  22,  1899,  O— ,  Minn. 

In  order  to  please  and  encourage  a  faithful 
but  isolated  Lutheran,  I  have  made  this  journey 
of  nearly  nine  hours  each  way.  It  has  cost  much 
weariness  and  some  exposure,  but  Oh!  the  joy 
and  blessing  the  visit  seems  to  him  words  cannot 


106  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

describe.  The  things  of  the  Kingdom,  and  the 
church  of  his  love  and  of  his  father's,  are  the  up- 
permost things  with  him.  The  pastor  who  instruct- 
ed him  more  than  forty  years  ago  has  a  warm  place 
in  his  heart,  and  as  a  'Memorial'  to  him  he  has 
made  a  gift  of  $1,000.00  to  our  Western  Theologi- 
cal Seminary.  He  has  seen  much  sprrow  and 
trial,  as  have  all  of  us,  but  sanctified  thereby,  he 
'brings  forth  fruit  in  old  age.'  He  took  me  to 
see  one  of  our  disabled  and  retired  ministers — 
now  eighty-seven  years  old — and  the  visit  was  an 
uplift  to  him.  We  sang  together  the  songs  of 
Zion,  and  talked  of  the  Master  and  His  coming. 
The  old  man's  daughter  said :  'This  will  be  a  day 
to  which  father  will  often  look  back  with  great 
joy." 

What  a  scene  was  that !  The  aged  pastor,  the  aged 
layman,  and  the  misionary  who  had  traveled  nearly 
a  thousand  miles  to  give  the  cheer  of  his  presence. 
When  the  Saviour  gave  the  promise  to  the  meeting  of 
two  or  three,  He  must  have  meant  a  special  blessing 
for  such  a  trio.  Did  it  pay?  Does  it  pay  to  do  our 
Home  Mission  work  on  such  lines?  Most  assuredly, 
in  dollars  and  cents  it  pays !  Dr.  Barnitz  came  away 
with  an  offering  of  a  thousand  dollars,  and  had  others 
subsequently  from  the  same  source.  But  what  a  mean 
thing  to  introduce  the  commercial  question  in  con- 


IN    WEARINESS   AND   PAINFULNESS.  IO7 

nection  with  such  a  saintly  and  heroic  piece  of  mis- 
sionary devotion. 

This  was  the  method  of  the  man.  No  sacrifice  too 
great  in  order  to  promote  his  cause.  Attending 
to  every  little  indication  of  Providence  that  he  might 
win  a  soul,  make  a  giver,  or  comfort  a  stricken  heart. 
The  letter,  from  which  the  above  extract  is  made,  con- 
cludes :  "Home,  though  to  stay  only  thirty-six  hours. 
The  trip  to  Minnesota  was  a  trying  one  physically, 
but  a  blessed  one  otherwise,  and  I  can  well  afford 
weariness  of  body,  in  view  of  the  good  done  and  the 
hearts  cheered.  To-morrow  morning  I  must  up  early, 
and  off  to  Carthage,  111.,  for  five  addresses." 

Truly  was  it  an  Apostolic  mission,  which  Paul's 
description  fits  at  many  points.  "In  labors  more 
abundant;  in  journey  ings  often;  in  perils  in  the  city; 
in  perils  in  the  wilderness;  in  weariness  and  painful- 
ness  ;  in  watchings  often ;  besides  those  things  that  are 
without,  that  which  cometh  daily,  the  care  of  all  the 
mission  churches.  .  .  .  Truly  the  signs  of  an 
apostle  were  wrought  among  us." 

An  instance  of  Dr.  Barnitz's  carefulness  in  the 
details  of  newspaper  notices,  and  seeming  trifles,  is 
found  in  the  fact  that  in  his  weakness,  only  three 
weeks  prior  to  his  death,  he  wrote  one  of  the  German 
church  papers,  the  Zions-Bote,  under  date  of  May  23, 
as  follows: 


108  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

"I  regret  that  I  must  report  my  condition  as 
very  little  improved  by  my  California  trip,  and  am 
now  ordered  by  my  physicians  and  Board  to  re- 
main at  home  for  absolute  rest.  I  will  therefore 
do  no  traveling  and  no  public  speaking  for  some 
months  to  come,  but  will  attend  to  important 
office  work  only  and  try  to  build  myself  up  again. 
I  had  no  idea  of  being  so  run  down  as  I  find  I 


The  July,  1902,  number  of  the  Missionary  Journal, 
which  appeared  after  the  burial  of  Dr.  Barnitz,  con- 
tained a  long  budget  of  "Home  Mission  Items,"  writ- 
ten by  him  only  a  few  days  before  his  death.  They 
were  the  notes  made  during  his  last  missionary  jour- 
ney on  the  Pacific  Coast,  covering  the  state  of  the 
churches  in  San  Francisco,  Oakland,  Alameda,  Sac- 
ramento, San  Jose,  Albuquerque,  Santa  Fe,  Boulder, 
Col.,  and  Butte,  Montana.  Dr.  Barnitz  was  in  the 
San  Francisco  church  April  20,  1902,  less  than  two 
months  prior  to  his  death.  A  street-car  strike  was 
prevailing  in  the  city,  and  he  says  in  his  notes : 

"It  was  a  great  compliment  to  the  Board  of 
Home  Missions  and  their  representative  that  some 
persons  walked  five  miles  in  order  to  be  present 
at  that  service." 


ST.    JOHN'S   CHURCH,    UES   MOINES. 


IN    WEARINESS  AND   PAINtfULNESS.  IOO, 

At  night  he  spoke  at  Alameda  to  the  Woman's 
Synodical  Society,  doubtless  himself  walking  several 
miles  to  reach  the  appointment.  Of  Sacramento  he 
writes :  "When  I  remember  what  we  did  not  have  in 
Sacramento  thirteen  years  ago  and  what  we  now  have, 
I  cannot  but  say,  'Behold,  what  hath  God  wrought.' " 

Here  he  went  to  the  German  church,  for  he  would 
not  slight  any.  He  says : 

"I  urged  the  boys  to  think  of  the  ministry, 
and  to  liberal  giving  for  the  cause  of  Home  Mis- 
sions. Pastor  Oehler  and  his  people  greatly  ap- 
preciated this  call,  as  they  had  not  expected  to 
see  me  because  of  the  condition  of  my  health." 

Probably  his  last  communion  was  in  the  course 
of  this  last  missionary  journey.  He  was  seeking 
health,  yet  he  turns  aside  on  the  way  home  to  admin- 
ister the  communion  in  Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico,  to  a 
family  cut  off  for  years  from  their  own  church,  "who 
had  not  seen  a  Lutheran  minister  since  the  visit  of  the 
Western  Secretary  two  years  ago."  After  describing 
this  touching  scene  in  the  missionary's  experience,  he 
adds:  "It  was  indeed  the  'communion  of  saints/  and 
the  manifest  presence  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  was 
felt.  No  pen  can  describe  the  joy  it  gave  these  peo- 
pie." 


IIO  SAMUEL    BACON    BARNITZ. 

Thus  the  end  drew  near,  and  in  a  few  weeks  the 
missionary,  weary  with  his  travels  and  forty  years  of 
carrying  cheer  to  others,  was  set  free  from  his  labors 
to  rest  with  his  Master  in  Heaven. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

HIS  WORK  IN  CALIFORNIA. 

The  development  of  the  Lutheran  Church  in  Cal- 
ifornia is  coincident  with  the  period  of  Dr.  Barnitz's 
period  of  service  as  Western  Secretary.  It  was  the 
part  of  his  field  which  commanded  his  constant  at- 
tention. As  it  grew  he  felt  justly  proud  of  the  results. 
The  members  of  the  Board  in  the  period  of  the  inaugur- 
ation of  the  California  work  will  recall  the  report  of 
the  Secretary  on  the  Sacramento  mission.  His  faith 
seemed  almost  audacious  as  he  declared,  after  going 
over  the  ground  with  the  missionary — "We  do  not  seem 
to  have  any  Lutherans  that  we  can  discover,  but  there 
are  thousands  in  the  city  unchurched,  and  the  names  on 
the  signs  of  the  streets  indicate  a  Lutheran  origin  for 
many  of  the  people,  so  we  will  go  on  with  our  work." 
The  result  is  known  to-day  in  the  strong  self-support- 
ing church  in  Sacramento  under  Dr.  Hoskinson,  the 
early  missionary  to  whom  we  refer,  and  the  only  pastor 
from  the  beginning. 

One  of  our  most  active  and  intelligent  laymen  of 
the  California  Synod,  G.  G.  Burnett,  M.  D.,  has  fur- 


112  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNIT2. 

nished  by  request  a  brief  sketch  of  this  California  de- 
velopment under  Dr.  Barnitz.  It  is  inserted  in  full, 
showing  graphically  the  results  of  Dr.  Barnitz's  labors 
in  one  portion  of  his  great  field.  Dr.  Burnett  writes 
under  date  of  July  i8th,  1905,  as  follows : 

The  life  of  Rev.  S.  B.  Barnitz,  D.  D.,  would  not  be  com- 
plete without  reference  to  the  splendid  work  he  accomplished 
on  the  Western  coast  of  our  continent,  under  the  supervision 
of  the  Board  of  Home  Missions  of  the  General  Synod  of  the 
Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of  the  U.  S., — as  its  Western 
Secretary, — and  the  direct  support  of  the  Women's  Home  and 
Foreign  Missionary  Society.  This  latter  society  was  founded 
about  twenty  years  ago.  From  small  beginnings  in  member- 
ship and  receipts,  it  has  become  a  powerful  adjunct  in  fur- 
thering the  work  of  the  Board  of  Home  Missions,  through 
its  thousands  of  members,  and  its  tens  of  thousands  of  dollars 
in  its  annual  available  funds.  As  soon  as  organized,  the 
ladies  began  to  make  inquiries  about  special  fields  of  work,  and 
it  was  but  natural  that  Dr.  Barnitz  should  be  called  into  their 
councils.  At  that  time  Kansas  and  Nebraska  were  about  the 
Western  limits  of  the  work  of  our  church.  With  eyes  ever 
open  for  future  opportunities,  Dr.  Barnitz  could  easily  see 
the  possibilities  awaiting  the  Church  on  our  Western  borders. 
Not  a  single  English-speaking  church  existed  along  the  Pacific 
coast,  and  to  Dr.  Barnitz's  efforts  in  presenting  the  needs  to 
the  ladies,  and  the  prompt  acceptance  of  California  as  their 
special  field  of  labor,  is  due  the  bright  future  in  prospect  for 


ttIS  WORK  IN   CAUtfORNIA.  113 

the  church  in  that  great  State.  The  first  mission  established 
was  in  San  Francisco,  under  Rev.  O.  C.  Miller,  now  a  chaplain 
in  the  cavalry  service  of  the  U.  S.  Army.  It  is  a  splendid 
monument  of  the  women's  work.  In  a  little  over  one  year  it 
numbered  nearly  200  members,  became  self-supporting,  and 
owns  a  beautiful  church  structure,  valued  at  $60,000.00.  This 
marvelous  work  was  speedily  followed  by  Rev.  C.  W. 
Heisler,  in  Los  Angeles,  in  the  erection  of  a  church;  in 
Sacramento — Rev.  W.  S.  Hoskinson,  D.  D. — by  another;  and 
in  subsequent  years  by  others  in  Oakland,  Alameda,  San  Jose, 
San  Diego,  Riverside,  etc.,  until  at  the  present  time  California 
possesses  16  organizations,  with  12  church  buildings,  valued  at 
about  $250,000.00,  and  an  active  membership  of  over  1,600. 
This  is  certainly  a  magnificent  showing.  To  establish  a  church 
in  a  land  where  it  was  entirely  unknown,  would  appear  to 
laymen  an  impossibility;  but  persistance  and  constant  effort 
has  crowned  the  endeavor  with  success,  and  to  Dr.  Barnitz  is 
largely  due  the  success  so  far  attained.  His  annual  visits 
to  the  California  Synod,  and  individual  missions,  was  an  in- 
spiration to  pastors  and  people.  His  words  of  encourage- 
ment and  advice  were  timely  and  of  great  value.  His  ad- 
dresses to  Sunday  Schools  and  the  young  people,  were  full 
of  incidents  and  stories  which  delighted  his  hearers,  and  from 
which  excellent  moral  lessons  could  be  drawn.  His  ser- 
mons were  instructive  and  elevating,  and  drew  well-filled 
houses,  and  his  audiences  were  always  pleased  and  gratified. 
His  advice  and  council  was  not  confined  to  the  pulpit  or  the 
missionary,  but  was  widely  felt  in  the  homes  of  the  members. 


114  •        SAMUEL,   BACON    BARNITZ. 

He  courted  the  acquaintance  of  members  and  accepted  many 
invitations  socially,  bringing  him  into  intimate  friendship  with 
the  various  occupants  of  homes  and  adroitly  inviting  their 
active  participation  in  the  various  lines  of  church  work.  His 
private  gifts  and  benefactions  were  numerous,  and  many  per- 
sonal friends  delighted  to  supply  him  with  funds  to  thus  dis- 
tribute, knowing  full  well  they  would  reach  the  proper  people. 
Many  communion  sets  were  sent  to  needy  congregations,  and 
the  pressing  necessities  of  missionaries  relieved  through  the 
kindness  of  Dr.  Barnitz,  known  only  to  those  immediately  in- 
terested. He  was  a  large  man  in  every  way — in  heart,  head, 
stature  and  sympathy.  In  frame  and  face  he  resembled  one  of 
our  great  presidents,  and  on  the  Pacific  Coast  was  known  as 
the  Abraham  Lincoln  of  the  Church. 

When  Dr.  Barnitz  was  offered  the  degree  of  D.  D.,  he 
hesitated  a  long  time  before  accepting  it.  He  felt  the  degree 
should  be  earned  by  hard  study,  and  not  received  as  a  compli- 
ment from  the  institution  tendering  it,  but  the  urgent  request 
of  friends,  as  well  as  the  importance  of  the  position  he  filled  as 
Western  Secretary,  finally  induced  him  to  consent  to  its  ac- 
ceptance. 

Dr.  Barnitz  was  offered  a  salary  of  $4,000  per  annum,  to 
accept  a  Presbyterian  pulpit.  He  declined  the  honor,  saying 
that  while  he  could  use  the  money  to  excellent  purpose,  he 
was  raised  and  expected  to  die  a  Lutheran,  and  could  not 
conscientiously  leave  the  church  wherein  all  his  interests  and 
ambitions  were  centered. 

On  one  of  his  California  trips  he  was  given  two  diamond 


HIS  WORK   IN   CALIFORNIA.  115 

rings  to  sell  and  use  the  proceeds  as  he  deemed  best.  He 
would  exhibit  the  rings,  tell  their  story,  and  solicit  subscrip- 
tions to  the  fund.  After  collecting  several  hundreds  of  dol- 
lars, he  used  the  money  in  various  charities  and  returned  the 
rings  to  their  former  owner,  much  to  her  delight. 

Traveling  men  are  subject  to  many  diseases,  seldom  affect- 
ing those  of  sedentary  habits.  Such  diseases  begin  slowly,  but 
advance  with  great  rapidity.  At  the  meeting  of  the  General 
Synod  in  Des  Moines,  in  1901,  on  motion  of  Dr.  Leisenring,  of 
San  Diego,  Dr.  Barnitz  was  granted  three  months'  vacation 
to  recuperate  his  health.  The  progress  of  his  disease — 
Bright's  disease — was  too  firmly  fixed,  and  his  next  visit  to 
California  indicated  to  anxious  friends  its  speedy  termination. 
His  attendance  at  Synod  was  an  effort;  preaching  exhausted 
him,  and  for  about  two  weeks  he  kept  his  room,  attended  by 
his  faithful  and  devoted  wife,  and  denied  himself  to  all  but  a 
few  intimate  friends.  One  of  the  last  sermons  he  ever 
preached  was  in  the  San  Francisco  church,  in  which  he  al- 
ways delighted  to  appear.  The  suffering  he  endured  during 
the  effort  was  painfully  apparent.  When  he  left  that  city 
friends  were  apprehensive  he  never  would  reach  his  home 
alive.  He  was  mercifully  permitted  to  do  so,  but  in  a  few 
weeks  his  life  went  out,  and  with  it  another  saint  arose  to 
Heaven.  His  was  a  busy  life.  He  died  as  he  desired,  in  the 
active  service  of  His  Master.  He  always  expressed  his  great 
delight  with  the  advance  and  growth  of  the  California  work, 
a  work  that  is  yet  but  in  its  infancy ;  a  work  that  to-day  ought 
to  be  doubled  in  missions,  and  men  to  guide  them;  a  work 


Il6  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNlTZ. 

that  will  ever  hold  in  highest  esteem  the  guiding  hand,  the 
cheerful  greeting,  and  the  magnetic  presence  of  that  prince 
of  organizers,  whom  we  shall  hold  in  most  tender  memory 
as  friend  and  brother,  Dr.  S.  B.  Barnitz. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

TWENTIETH    ANNIVERSARY. 

Doctor  Barnitz  entered  with  all  his  soul  into  the 
arrangements  for  the  suitable  observance  of  the  Twen- 
tieth Anniversary  of  his  Western  Supervision  of  Home 
Missions.  Fittingly  it  was  the  last  great  occasion  in 
which  he  took  a  public  part.  He  had  been  licensed  to 
preach  the  Gospel  in  1861.  He  had  been  called  to  the 
Western  Secretaryship  in  1881,  and  now  in  June,  1901, 
it  was  proposed  by  some  of  his  friends  to  mark  the 
anniversary  of  his  appointment  with  a  special  service 
on  one  of  the  days  of  the  meeting  of  the  General 
Synod  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa.  Accordingly  a  committee 
was  appointed,  consisting  of  Hon.  W.  W.  Witmer, 
Chairman ;  Rev.  John  A.  Wirt,  D.  D.,  Vice  Chairman ; 
Miss  Cornelia  Stein,  Secretary.  This  committee,  sup- 
plemented by  a  special  anniversary  committee,  com- 
posed of  leading  laymen  from  all  parts  of  the  country,* 


*  The  names  of  the  Anniversary  Committee  were :  Samuel 
Killian,  James  Strong,  C.  E.  Patric,  D.  K.  Ramey,  L.  D. 
Calkins,  Chas.  F.  Stifel,  John  L.  Zimmerman,  L.  Helfrich, 
G.  G.  Burnett,  Henry  A.  Bade,  Wm.  M.  Ritter,  Henry  Sprick, 
Albert  F.  Fox,  T.  E.  Dewey,  Edward  Vollrath,  Daniel  D. 
Frisbie,  Henry  W.  Harter,  C.  N.  Gaumer,  John  W.  Johnson, 
Peter  S.  Grosscup,  John  Becker,  H.  H.  Emminga,  Amos  Mil- 
ler, Geo.  H.  Knollenberg,  Henry  Denhart. 

117 


Il8  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

arranged  to  hold  a  reception  in  Doctor  Barnitz's  honor 
at  the  Hotel  Savery,  Saturday,  June  i,  1901,  from 
three  to  five-thirty  p.  m. 

The  anniversary  exercises  were  held  in  St.  John's 
Lutheran  Church,  Saturday  night.  It  was  the  expec- 
tation of  the  committee,  and  the  Board  of  Home  Mis- 
sions by  whose  sanction  the  programs  were  arranged, 
that  the  Lutheran  people  of  the  General  Synod  would 
be  interested  enough  in  the  man  and  his  work  to  make 
the  occasion  a  great  rallying  time  for  the  cause  of 
Home  Missions  as  well  as  for  honoring  the  Western 
Secretary.  They  were  not  disappointed.  Fully  five 
hundred  friends  attended  the  reception  during  the 
afternoon.  A  crowded  church  took  part  in  the  eve- 
ning exercises.  The  receiving  party  at  the  hotel  con- 
sisted of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Barnitz,  Dr.  and  Mrs.  J.  A. 
Wirt,  President  W.  S.  Freas,  Dr.  M.  W.  Hamma, 
President  of  the  Home  Mission  Board,  Mrs.  Hamma, 
special  representative  from  the  Women's  Societies ; 
Rev.  A.  Stewart  Hartman,  D.  D.,  General  Secretary. 

At  the  evening  exercises,  Mr.  Witmer  presiding, 
the  addresses  were  delivered  by  Dr.  L.  E.  Albert,  Dr. 
J.  A.  Clutz,  Dr.  E.  Nelander,  Mrs.  A.  V.  Hamma,  Dr. 
H.  L.  Wiles,  Dr.  J.  H.  Harpster,  Hon.  Peter  S.  Gross- 
cup,  Dr.  T.  E.  Schmauck,  visiting  delegate  from  the 
General  Council. 

Generous  contributions  were  received  for  missions 


TWENTIETH  ANNIVERSARY.  1 19 

with  kindly  greetings,  from  friends  in  every  part  of  the 
United  States.  Mrs.  Hamma  presented  three  hundred 
dollars  to  the  anniversary  fund,  an  offering  from 
friends  of  Dr.  Barnitz  in  the  Women's  societies. 

It  was  a  red-letter  day  for  the  Western  Secretary, 
the  climax  of  years  of  travel  and  toil.  His  heart  over- 
flowed with  joyful  appreciation  of  all  the  kind  things 
said  and  done.  He  did  not  take  it  for  himself,  but  for 
the  cause  for  which  his  life  was  even  then  consuming 
itself  away.  It  was  the  last  great  gathering.  The  next 
June  he  laid  off  the  harness. 

The  address  of  Dr.  E.  Nelander,  pastor  of  the  First 
Lutheran  Church  in  San  Francisco,  covered  many  of 
the  things  which  it  was  most  proper  to  utter  on  such 
an  occasion,  and  coming  from  one  who  occupied  a 
conspicuous  church  within  the  field  of  the  Western 
Secretary,  there  was  an  eminent  fitness  in  the  testi- 
mony given  by  him.  Dr.  Nelander  said: 

"California  has  been  in  a  large  measure  the  scene  of  action 
of  the  Western  Secretary.  Twenty  years  ago  Dr.  Samuel  B. 
Barnitz  made  his  first  tour  as  Western  Secretary.  Up  and 
down  these  far-reaching  prairies  and  beyond  the  Rockies 
he  went,  planting  churches,  preaching  the  Word,  soliciting 
funds,  stirring  up  the  indifferent,  enthusing  flagging  workers, 
bringing  cheer  and  encouragement  to  the  hearts  of  the  faith- 
ful men  and  women  who  were  laboring  in  the  face  of  adver- 
sities known  only  to  frontier  missionaries.  Dr.  Barnitz  has 


120  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNtTZ. 

virtually  planted  every  church  on  the  Coast,  and  has  dedi- 
cated all  but  one.  No  synod  is  under  greater  obligations  to 
the  Board  of  Home  Missions  and  the  Women's  Home  and 
Foreign  Missionary  Societies  than  the  Synod  of  California, 
and  no  synod  more  appreciates  the  services  of  the  Western 
Secretary.  Gloria  in  Excelsis  is  sung  in  the  churches  of  the 
Capitol  City,  the  Bay  cities  of  Oakland  and  Alameda,  in  the 
Orchard  City  of  San  Jose,  and  down  to  the  City  of  Los  An- 
geles, to  the  orange  groves  of  Riverside,  Redlands  and  San 
Diego — they  are  all  praising  God  for  the  work  of  him  we 
honor  to-night. 

What  a  privilege  it  is  to  have  achieved  the  successes  of  these 
twenty  years !  The  foundations  have  been  laid,  but  who  shall 
say  what  glorious  superstructures  are  to  be  raised?  How  it 
would  gladden  the  soul  of  our  Western  Secretary  if  the  veil 
that  hides  the  future  were  lifted,  that  he  might  look  for  a 
moment  upon  the  consummation  of  his  work.  Dr.  Barnitz, 
we  are  only  glorifying  God  when  we  point  you  out  to  our 
children  and  say,  'Look  well  on  that  man,  one  of  the  noblest 
sights  in  the  universe ;  a  man  upon  whose  labors  God  has 
put  His  seal  of  favor;  a  man  who  realizes  that  he  is  in 
covenant  with  Almighty  God.' 

For  once  there  was  the  opportunity  to  show  appreciation 
of  our  love  for  one  of  the  heroes  of  our  faith,  while  he  was 
yet  in  the  flesh  and  could  know  that  we  loved  him  and  would 
always  cherish  the  memory  of  his  achievements." 

This  occasion   was   unquestionably   the   crowning 


TWENTIETH  ANNIVERSARY.  121 

point  in  the  earthly  ministry  of  Dr.  Barnitz.  It  was  his 
last  year  of  active  work.  The  shadows  were  already 
gathering.  The  heavenly  light  shone  in  the  eyes  that 
were  now  dimming. 

The  presence  of  friends,  letters,  telegrams,  greet- 
ings, congratulations,  and  generous  outpouring  of 
offerings  for  the  cause  he  had  so  deeply  at  heart,  all 
conspired  to  make  the  day  the  most  triumphant  in  all 
his  successful  ministry.  As  the  papers  of  the  city, 
reporting  the  occasion  fully,  declared  it — "To-DAY 
BELONGS  TO  BARNITZ/' 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

HIS    LAST    SERMON. 

One  of  the  missionaries  on  the  field  in  the  care  of 
Dr.  Barnitz  has  furnished  a  report  of  the  last  sermon 
ever  preached  by  this  strong  preacher.  It  was  at  the 
Whitsunday  service  in  Boulder,  Col.,  on  the  return 
journey  from  California,  May  18,  1902,  less  than  one 
month  before  his  death.  He  had  finished  his  Western 
tour,  and  was  facing  homewards,  within  two  days  of 
Des  Moines  and  the  rest  of  home,  then  a  few  more 
days  and  the  Eternal  Home. 

Rev.  D.  Burt  Smith,  the  pastor  and  resident  mis- 
sionary at  Boulder,  in  telling  of  the  service  in  the  mis- 
sion on  that  Whitsunday,  says  that  no  worshiper  at 
that  day's  service  will  ever  forget  the  last  ministry  of 
Dr.  Barnitz.  He  was*  so  weak  in  body  that  he  could 
hardly  stand,  yet  strong  in  spirit,  carrying  the  congre- 
gation in  deep  devotion  to  the  feet  of  Jesus.  He  chose 
a  theme  that  was  oftenest  on  his  lips,  "The  Precious 
Name,"  and  talked  as  a  father  might  talk  in  telling 
his  children  of  a  long-trusted,  often-tested  friend,  who 
had  never  failed  him. 

"The  tender  monitions  to  the  erring,  the  strong  en- 
couragement to  the  working,  and  the  confident  com- 
mendation of  all  to  Christ,  so  deeply  moved  the  con- 
gregation that  they  ceased  not  to  talk  about  what 


HIS   LAST   SERMON.  ±23 

seemed  to  many  'his  last  message.'  He  seemed  like 
some  warrior  laying  aside  his  armor  to  receive  the  vic- 
tor's crown.  He  seemed  to  feel  that  he  must  tell  a 
last  word  to  the  church  before  he  went  Home.  It  was 
a  most  pathetic  service.  It  was  the  sacred  sadness 
such  as  the  disciples  had  when  Christ  told  of  His  de- 
parture. The  testimony  of  one  who  knew  his  Master's 
worth,  whose  life  had  proven  that  he  knew,  could 
not  fail  to  speak  with  eloquence — the  simple  eloquence 
of  the  soul.  Like  some  mountain  peak  that  pierces  the 
clouds,  enshrouding  it,  and  bathes  in  the  sunlight 
above,  so  he  seemed  to  rise  through  the  clouds  of  life 
and  bathe  his  soul  in  the  light  of  Jesus. 

"Would  that  all  the  church  could  have  been  present 
to  see  and  hear.  His  face  lighted  with  more  than 
earthly  light,  and  his  voice,  trembling  with  bodily  weak- 
ness, told  the  truth  as  strongly  as  the  thunder  tells  the 
lightning's  way.  It  was  a  pleasure  to  be  with  him. 
Occasionally  his  jovial  nature  would  force  itself  to  the 
surface  in  spite  of  physical  suffering.  But  the  burden 
on  his  heart  was  the  success  of  the  missions,  and  the 
pulse  of  his  life  was  the  hope  of  continuing  in  his 
work  for  the  church.  We  bade  him  good-bye.  As  he 
went  away,  one  said,  'We  will  never  see  Dr.  Barnitz 
again/  Another  said,  'I  wonder  if  he  can  reach  his 
home  ?' 

"And  now  that  he  has  reached  Home,  we  are  glad 
that  he  left  us  a  message  to  lift  us  up  and  make  us 


124  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNIT2. 

better.  What  a  message  was  Dr.  Barnitz's  last  ser- 
mon on  'The  Precious  Name  of  Jesus !' ' 

In  his  diary  at  Wheeling,  nearly  forty  years  before, 
he  had  written:  "Am  much  interested  in  my  sermon 
on  'The  Name  of  Jesus/  " 

So  it  proved  that  his  last  sermon  must  have  been 
the  matured  thought  of  one  of  his  earliest  sermons. 
Through  all  his  days  he  knew  but  one  Name. 

The  words  of  this  last  sermon  were  spoken  at  the 
end  of  the  California  journey,  and  as  it  proved  at  the 
end  of  life's  journey.  He  was  making  his  last  notes, 
which  are  given  elsewhere.  He  was  going  home  to 
fall  asleep  under  his  own  roof  which  he  had  denied 
himself  when  in  the  vigor  of  health.  It  was  a  pathetic 
but  a  consistent  ending  to  a  life  of  faithful  consecra- 
tion. 

Most  appropriately  the  Board  of  Home  Missions 
has  decided  to  make  the  mission  at  Denver,  where  he 
uttered  many  of  his  earnest  messages,  a  Memorial  to 
Dr.  Barnitz,  to  be  known  to  the  churches  hereafter  as 
the  S.  B.  BARNITZ  MEMORIAL.  This  Trinity  mission 
is  located  on  the  south  side  of  Denver,  and  with  par- 
ticular fitness  is  in  the  State  from  which  he  uttered 
his  last  sermon-message  to  the  missions  he  loved,  and 
for  which  he  literally  gave  his  life  a  sacrifice. 

Mr.  Beecher  once  recommended  the  man  who  was 
wondering  how  large  a  place  he  occupied  in  the  world 
to  go  down  to  the  river,  thrust  in  his  cane,  withdraw 


HIS  LAST  SERMON.  125 

it  and  look  for  the  hole  that  was  left.  That  may  do  in 
sarcasm  for  the  average  life  of  uselessness.  Not  so  the 
life  we  follow  here,  setting  down  but  a  sample  here 
and  there  of  the  many  blessed  things  that  occupied 
his  time  and  filled  his  heart. 

Dr.  Barnitz's  death  has  made  a  gap  which  seems  to 
widen  as  the  years  go  by.  The  meetings  of  the  Gen- 
eral Synod  are  not  the  same.  The  Home  Mission 
Board  and  all  the  Missions  feel  his  loss.  One  of  the 
first  acts  of  the  Home  Mission  Board  after  the  death 
of  Dr.  Barnitz  was  the  sub-division  of  the  territory,  so 
that  two  men  might  cover  the  field  and  do  the  work 
which  he  did  single-handed  for  twenty-one  busy  years. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


DR.    BARNITZ    IN    THE    PEW. 

Of  all  the  tributes  paid  to  the  zeal,  the  humility, 
the  faithfulness  of  Dr.  Barnitz,  none  was  more  touch- 
ing than  the  testimony  of  -his  Des  Moines  pastor,  Rev. 
J.  A.  Wirt,  D.  D. 

As  soon  as  the  Western  Secretary  had  established 
his  residence  in  the  capital  city  of  Iowa,  he  at  once 
identified  himself  with  the  local  church.  His  entire 
family  became  an  integral  part  of  the  congregation, 
fully  co-operating  in  congregational  and  community 
work,  setting  an  example  to  the  great  multitude  of 
migrating  people  in  the  West  who  establish  themselves 
in  cities  and  towns  without  giving  a  thought  to  the 
church  and  the  subj  ect  of  a  church  home.  The  tribute 
of  Dr.  Wirt  to  Dr.  Barnitz  as  one  of  his  parishioners, 
is  so  just  that  it  may  well  be  set  down  here  as  a  fair 
estimate  of  the  spirit  of  the  man  in  his  entire  course 
through  what  Carlyle  calls  "the  scene  of  pilgrimage 
through  this  world."  Dr.  Wirt  said : 

J26 


DR.    BARNITZ    IN    THE)   PEW.  I2/ 

"Much  will  foe  said  and  much  can  be  said  of  the  Rev.  S.  B. 
Barnitz,  D.  D.,  as  a  soul-stirring  preacher,  a  born  missionary. 
a  man  of  marked  executive  ability,  good  judgment,  and  rich 
in  thrilling  experiences  on  the  frontier.  While  the  writer 
came  in  touch  with  Dr.  Barnitz  frequently  within  the  last 
seven  years,  and  while  we  have  often  taken  sweet  counsel 
together  concerning  his  great  work,  yet  I  was  impressed  most 
forcibly  with  Dr.  Barnitz  in  his  church  pew.  It  has  been  said 
that  it  is  not  always  desirable  to  have  a  resident  minister  as  a 
parishioner.  Whether  or  not  this  is  ever  true,  it  was  evidently 
not  true  of  Dr.  Barnitz.  He  loved  St.  John's  Church.  He 
highly  esteemed  the  pastor  and  family.  Our  relationship  as 
pastor  and  parishioner  could  not  have  been  more  felicitous. 
He  was  as  punctual  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  to  his  indi- 
vidual church  as  to  the  church  at  large.  He  was  as  enthusias- 
tic in  the  success  of  his  home  church  as  in  any  mission  he  ever 
planted.  He  was  a  beautiful  exemplification  of  his  own 
preaching  in  his  liberal  and  systematic  support  of  his  church. 
This  spirit  was  with  him  to  the  last.  In  a  visit  made  him  in 
his  later  days  by  the  pastor,  then  engaged  in  liquidating  the 
church  indebtedness,  he  remarked,  'We  have  not  yet  made  our 
contribution  to  the  church  debt,  but  we  will.'  And  he  did ! 

At  no  time  in  these  seven  years  was  Dr.  Barnitz  absent 
from  any  service  of  the  church,  when  in  the  city.  In  public 
service  on  the  Lord's  Day  he  was  a  real  inspiration  to  the 
pastor  and  an  example  to  the  whole  congregation  in  his  jrev- 
erent  demeanor  and  interested  attention.  Not  always,  but 
often  he  would  meet  the  pastor  after  the  service  to  give  a 


128  SAMUEX   BACON    BARNITZ. 

word  of  encouragement  and  appreciation.  Dr.  Barnitz  in 
the  pew  often  preached  to  the  preacher.  His  loyalty  was  not 
only  manifested  while  in  his  home  church,  but  was  demon- 
strated throughout  the  whole  church  in  expressions  of  good 
will  and  appreciation.  Not  alone  in  the  congregation  was  his 
presence  a  benediction,  but  in  every  service  of  the  House  of 
God.  His  ardent  prayers  in  the  Wednesday  evening  service 
left  the  impression  that  he  was  on  intimate  terms  with  his 
Heavenly  Father.  They  were  uttered  with  such  childlike 
faith  and  simple  trust  that  all  present  felt  that  God  heard 
and  answered. 

His  addresses  to  the  Sunday  School  and  to  the  young  peo- 
ple have  inculcated  a  missionary  spirit  such  as  could  be  pro- 
duced only  by  a  presentation  that  Dr.  Barnitz  was  able  to 
render.  Not  only  home  missions,  but  all  the  beneficiary  opera- 
tions of  the  church  were  noticed  and  emphasized.  He  often 
assisted  in  the  Holy  Comunion  and  preached  in  the  pastor's 
absence,  and  when  compensation  was  proffered,  he  would  say, 
'Whatever  my  services  have  been  worth  you  may  give  to  mis- 
sions.' 

The  pew  which  was  occupied  by  Dr.  Barnitz  in  St.  John's 
Church  is  mournfully  precious  because  he  is  not,  'for  God 
took  him,'  yet  the  beautiful  influence  of  the  life  he  lived  will 
abide.  Time  will  not  efface  the  good  impressions  he  made — 
from  the  pastor  to  the  smallest  child  in  the  church,  his  blessed 
memory  will  be  cherished.  Not  until  the  church  militant  is 
lost  in  the  church  triumphant  will  the  power  of  his  example 
be  fully  appreciated." 


DR.    BARNITZ    IN   THE)   P£W.  129 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing  tribute  to  Dr.  Bar- 
nitz  as  a  member  of  his  congregation,  Dr.  Wirt  gave 
utterance  to  an  eloquent  eulogy  at  the  funeral  in  St. 
John's  Lutheran  Church.  Extracts  from  this  sermon 
are  here  given  to  show  the  estimation  in  which  the 
Western  Secretary  was  held  by  those  in  closest  rela- 
tion to  him.  Dr.  Wirt  selected  for  the  funeral  text: 

"For  me  to  live  is  Christ;  to  die  is  gain." 

— Philip  plans  1:21. 

"At  this  writing  Paul  had  been  in  prison  for  two  years. 
He  was  in  doubt  as  to  whether  he  would  ever  be  released. 
Hence  he  writes  most  affectionately  to  this  church  and  coun- 
sels them  how  they  should  live  and  ever  rejoice  in  the  faith 
of  Jesus  Christ.  To  him  and  for  him  all  things  worked  for 
a  single  purpose,  the  exaltation  of  Christ  and  the  diffusion 
of  the  knowledge  of  the  gospel  which  is  the  power  of  God 
unto  salvation  to  them  that  believe. 

The  apostle  'had  a  single  purpose,  a  well-defined  object 
for  which  he  sacrificed  self  that  he  might  preach  to  a  lost 
world  Jesus  and  the  resurrection.  His  theme  was  the  same 
in  the  prison  cell  as  on  Mars'  Hill.  He  would  sacrifice  'him- 
self. He  would  cause  his  auditors  to  tremble  by  preaching 
the  Word,  but  he  would  never  sacrifice  the  truth  or  fail  to 
declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God. 

Just  so  far  Dr.  $.  B.  Barnitz  was  a  Pauline  preacher  and 
apostolic  in  the  pulpit  and  on  the  field. 

In   these   characteristics   we   see    a   beautiful    imitation   of 


I3O  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNlTZ. 

Paul  by  him  whom  we  to-day  shall  carry  to  his  last  resting 
place.  Dr.  Barnitz  loved  his  own,  but  his  great  catholic  spirit 
embraced  mankind.  He  was  happy  when  in  barn,  garret  or 
sanctuary,  he  could  tell  the  wonders  of  His  love  and  the 
power  of  His  grace  to  save  men.  From  the  humblest  mission 
to  the  most  important  council  of  the  church  his  one  theme  was 
Jesus  and  the  resurrection. 

In  these  characteristics  our  beloved  brother  who  sleeps  in 
the  cjsket  before  us  was  a  beautiful  imitation  of  Paul.  His 
self-sacrificing  spirit,  for  he  never  considered  his  own  comfort, 
he  never  saved  himself,  was  his  controlling  thought  in  the 
extension  of  the  Master's  kingdom.  Duty  was  his  watchword, 
let  the  cross  be  what  it  may.  He  traveled  by  night  and  by 
day,  inspired  by  no  other  motive  than  the  building  up  of 
Christ's  kingdom.  The  work  of  missions  was  dear  to  his 
heart.  He  spoke  of  it  from  a  thousand  pulpits  and  in  ten 
thousand  homes.  Well  do  we  remember  his  pathetic  stories 
told  of  the  German  and  the  Scandinavian  in  their  struggle 
for  a  church  of  their  fathers.  He  was  untiring  even  to  the 
last  visit  of  the  churches.  Like  Paul  he  was  devoted  to  the 
missionaries.  He  wrote  letters  many,  encouraging  frontier 
men  in  their  work.  He  preferred  the  frugal  meal  of  the  mis- 
sionary rather  than  the  luxury  of  the  best  hotel.  He  used  his 
influence  to  secure  transportation  for  homesick  wives  and 
worn-out  missionaries.  He  acted  in  the  capacity  of  a  general 
freight  agent  for  the  whole  Lutheran  church.  His  voice  was 
heard  annually  on  the  floor  of  every  District  Synod  in  behalf 
of  Home  Missions.  He  best  knew  where  the  box  might  be 


DR.  BARNITZ  IN  1897. 


DR.    BARNITZ    IN    THE    P#\V.  13! 

sent  which  would  prove  a  benefaction.  He  knew  the  tempera- 
ment of  every  missionary.  He  was  in  touch  with  every  mis- 
sionary's home.  Like  Paul,  the  crowning  success  of  Dr.  Bar- 
nitz  as  a  missionary  was  his  beautiful  Christian  life.  He 
loved  his  Lord.  When  conscious  that  the  command  came 
from  his  Master  it  was  enough.  Sacrifice  was  not  considered. 
The  Word  was  his  rule  of  faith  and  practice.  He  was  a  man 
of  prayer.  For  him  to  live  was  Christ. 

'To  die  is  gain.'  This  would  sound  like  a  paradox.  Most 
men  are  afraid  of  death.  They  look  upon  it  as  the  greatest 
calamity  that  can  befall  them.  It  is  difficult  for  man  to  learn 
the  most  profound  truth,  one  that  needs  no  proof,  that  as  truly 
as  we  are  born  into  the  world  so  also  will  we  become  the  prey 
for  death.  To  live  a  life  of  selfishness,  to  be  conformed  to  this 
world,  to  live  without  God  in  the  world,  death  approaches 
with  many  horrors,  but  when  we  have  met  the  first  proposi- 
tion of  the  text  the  condition  is  changed,  death  loses  its  ter- 
ror and  becomes  the  vestibule  through  which  we  enter  into 
our  Father's  house.  No  one  so  clearly  demonstrated  this  as 
the  Apostle  Paul.  In  one  instance  he  calls  it  gain,  and  in 
another  victory.  To  the  Christian  it  is  both. 

The  principal  idea  that  was  in  the  mind  of  the  apostle 
when  he  said,  'To  die  is  gain/  was  that  Christ  would  be  mag- 
nified by  his  death.  It  must  not  be  forgotten  that  in  living 
or  dying  it  was  the  apostle's  desire  to  honor  his  Lord,  'Having 
a  desire  to  depart,  and  to  be  with  Christ.'  It  is  being  with 
Christ  that  is  the  great  gain  in  death,  to  see  Him  as  He  is, 
to  reign  with  Him  in  His  kingdom,  absent  from  the  body  and 


132  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

present  with  the  Lord.  At  one  time  he  earnestly  prayed  when 
conscious  of  the  power  of  sin,  'Who  shall  deliver  me  from  the 
body  of  this  death.'  Now  the  great  deliverance  day  is  at  hand. 
To  be  forever  set  free  from  sin,  the  shackles  broken,  the  soul 
redeemed,  is  great  gain.  Where  there  is  no  sin  there  is  no 
sickness,  no  sorrow  nor  death.  The  apostle  fully  compre- 
hended this  and  realized  that  it  would  be  great  gain.  It  is 
gain  to  enter  into  rest.  'There  remaineth  therefore  a  rest 
unto  the  people  of  God.'  'There  the  wicked  cease  from  troub- 
ling, and  the  weary  are  at  rest.' 

I  can  conceive  of  nothing  that  Dr.  Barnitz  so  much  needed 
as  rest.  He  was  weary  and  worn.  Even  the  comforts  of  his 
sweet  home  could  not  afford  the  rest  for  which  his  soul 
longed.  He  needed  a  change  of  place.  His  earthly  house 
was  fast  dissolving  and  he  saw  clearly  his  Father's  house 
where  there  are  many  mansions.  To  enter  in  was  infinite 
gain. 

In  the  last  visit  made  by  his  pastor  he  said  with  child- 
like simplicity,  'I  wish  you  would  administer  the  Holy  Com- 
munion to  me  for  we  know  not  what  a  day  may  bring  forth.' 
Arrangements  were  made  that  he  might  once  more  partake 
of  the  broken  body  and  shed  blood  of  his  dear  Lord,  but  ere 
those  arrangements  had  been  completed  he  was  called  to  eat 
and  drink  at  the  heavenly  board. 

From  the  meeting  of  the  General  Synod  in  Des  Moines 
a  decline  in  Dr.  Barnitz's  health  was  quite  noticeable.  The 
sudden  death  of  his  oldest  son  was  a  severe  shock.  From  this 
time  the  dissolution  of  his  earthly  house  was  perceptible. 


DR.    BARNITZ   IN   THE   P£\V.  133 

Patiently  he  bore  his  last  sickness.  His  hope  brightened  and 
his  faith  became  stronger  as  he  approached  'the  river's  brink.' 
He  had  his  house  set  in  order  so  that  when  the  final  hour 
came  he  was  able  to  say,  'the  time  of  my  departure  is  at 
hand.'  Hopefully  'he  entered  into  that  rest  which  was  pre- 
pared for  him  and  all  those  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
The  beautiful  life  of  this  great  missionary  will  live  and  con- 
tinue to  influence  the  church  until  Christ's  kingdom  shall 
fully  occupy  our  country. 

We  commend  the  bereaved  family  to  the  love  and  help- 
fulness of  Him  who  said,  'I  will  be  a  father  of  the  fatherless, 
and  a  judge  of  the  widows.'" 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


A    NOTABLE    CORRESPONDENCE. 

Amid  all  the  multiplied  work  of  Dr.  Barnitz,  both 
as  Missionary  at  Wheeling,  and  as  Western  Secretary, 
there  was  always  time  to  keep  up  an  extended  corres- 
pondence. As  already  intimated,  one  secret  of  the  suc- 
cess which  marked  his  whole  course  was  his  faithful- 
ness in  attention  to  every  little  detail.  This  principle 
kept  him  busy  with  his  pen.  He  not  only  believed  in 
printer's  ink,  he  believed  in  the  written  word.  The 
wonder  is  that  he  did  not  get  writer's  cramp.  On  the 
railway  train,  late  at  night  after  a  long  journey,  be- 
tween conversations  when  visiting  missions,  he  would 
find  opportunity  to  write  his  letters,  make  up  his  re- 
ports, and  thus  keep  posted  on  his  official  and  personal 
correspondence. 

One  of  his  faithful  friends  and  regular  corres- 
pondents, was  Mrs.  Emma  B.  Stork,  of  Philadelphia, 
widow  of  Rev.  Theophilus  Stork,  D.  D.,  mother  of 
Rev.  Charles  A.  Stork,  D.  D.,  of  Baltimore.  This 
correspondence  in  itself  would  make  a  volume  that 


A    NOTABLE)    CORRESPONDENCE.  135 

would  outline  the  labors  and  spirit  of  Dr.  Barnitz  bet- 
ter than  any  biography.  It  was  in  contemplation  at 
one  time  to  publish  this  correspondence.  Mrs.  Stork 
has  furnished  with  her  own  hand  the  motto  and  title 
page,  as  follows:  "He  being  dead  yet  speaketh." 
"Selections  from  Letters  of  Rev.  Dr.  Sam'l  B.  Bar- 
nitz." 

We  must  be  content  with  a  chapter  instead  of  a 
book,  with  here  and  there  a  clipping  from  letters  writ- 
ten at  length  out  of  a  full  heart  by  a  tired  hand : 

"DES  MOINES,  IOWA,  Nov.  29,   1900. 
Beloved  and  Helpful  Friend  in  Christ  our  Lord. 

Among  the  multitude  of  blessings  from  the  hand  of  our 
Heavenly  Father  for  which  we  give  thanks  this  Thanksgiving 
Day,  your  precious,  helpful,  uplifting  and  light-bestowing 
friendship,  during  nearly  forty  years,  stands  out  prominently. 
'Oh,  give  thanks  unto  the  Lord,  for  He  is  good.  For  His 
mercy  endureth  forever.'  To-day  you  come  before  me  many 
times,  and  I  live  over  the  past,  and. recount  the  blessings  of 
your  friendship  and  that  of  your  sainted  husband  and  noble 
son,  Charles,  and  the  kindness  of  T.  and  W.  Last  Sunday  I 
was  in  Chicago,  that  great  city,  at  the  dedication  of  another 
English  Lutheran  Church.  Memory  was  very  busy,  and  as  I 
looked  at  eight  General  Synod  pastors  and  home  missionaries 
now  preaching  English  in  Chicago,  and  two  preaching  Ger- 
man, 'Behold  what  hath  God  wrought !'  came  to  me,  and  I  felt 


136  SAMUEt   BACON    BARNIT2. 

a  thrill  of  gratitude.  You  helped  largely  to  produce  these 
results,  and  many  saved  ones  will  rise  to  call  you  'Blessed/ 
When  I  entered  upon  the  work  of  the  Western  Secretary- 
ship, in  1881,  and  came  to  Chicago,  there  was  no  English  Lu- 
theran Church  of  the  General  Synod,  and  only  one  of  any 
kind  in  that  great  city.  My  heart  yearned  for  many  of  our 
people  who  had  not  the  means  of  grace,  and  I  wrote  Charles, 
at  the  same  time  that  I  made  an  appeal  to  the  Board  to  open 
the  work  there.  He  laid  the  matter  before  you,  and  you  both, 
with  me,  laid  it  before  God,  and  you  gave  the  first  $1,000.00 
for  beginning  a  church  edifice  in  Chicago.  'Grace  English 
Lutheran  Church'  was  started,  and  has  become  the  mother  of 
the  other  missions  noted  above.  Each  year  will  add  to  the 
number,  yea,  soon  I  believe,  each  month.  Scores  of  souls 
have  been  saved,  and  hundreds  are  now  being  gathered  into 
the  Master's  fold.  On  the  fourth  of  November,  the  enlarged 
church  at  Lawrence,  Kansas,  where  Bro.  F.  A.  acted  as 
sexton,  when  you  took  him  up  and  helped  him  into  the  min- 
istry, will  be  dedicated.  ...  Do  you  wonder  that  I  live  over 
the  past  to-day,  and  am  'thankful  at  the  remembrance  of  God's 
mercies?'  And  then  the  work  at  Wheeling,  W.  Va.  'Oh, 
precious,  blessed,  soul-rescuing  work,'  comes  vividly  to  mind. 
You  were  a  great  factor  in  that  work,  often  lifting  the  burden 
which  to  human  view  and  human  strength  seemed  breaking. 
That  church  has  become  two  bands,  the  second  having  a 
Sunday  School  of  over  200.  'The  Children's  Home'  has  grown 
out  of  it,  and  hundreds  of  the  neglected  and  fatherless  and 
motherless  have  been  lifted  out  of  the  awful  pit." 


A   NOTABLE   CORRESPONDENCE.  137 

"SAN  DIEGO,  CAL. 

Reached  California  for  the  visitation  of  the  missions,  and 
to  attend  the  California  Synod,  on  Friday,  April  6,  and  from 
that  date  until  April  16,  preached  eight  sermons  and  deliv- 
ered five  addresses.  During  each  day  visited  people  who  were 
discouraged,  or  who,  amid  the  materialism  of  this  country, 
are  'following  the  Savior  afar  off.'  Petitions  and  letters  come 
to  me  from  parents  and  from  -brothers  and  sisters  in  the 
East,  to  'look  up'  and  'look  after'  dear  ones  who  have  left 
home.  Sometimes  I  find  them  doing  well — true  to  their  vows, 
but  at  other  times  I  find  unfaithfulness  and  forgetfulness  of 
God.  Then  I  remind  them  of  the  prayers  of  mother  or  father 
or  sisters  or  brothers,  and  of  the  ardent  longing  they  have  to 
hear  of  their  return  to  the  loving  Saviour.  In  some  cases, 
they  come  to  church,  and  are  reclaimed  by  our  home  mission 
pastors,  but  in  others,  alas !  we  can  only  commend  them  to 
God  and  His  mercy.  .  .  .  This  visitation  to  the  Pacific  Coast 
missions  will  require  forty-five  days.  Then  will  come  the 
Rocky  Mountain  Synod  up  to  May  19.  From  there  I  must  go 
directly  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  without  stopping  at  my  precious 
home,  so  that  it  will  be  more  than  ten  weeks  before  I  get  to 
Des  Moines.  Indeed,  have  only  been  at  home  three  weeks, 
all  put  together,  during  this  year  of  1900. 

But  God  has  been  very  good.  All  glory  to  His  Great 
Name,  for  He  has  kept  me,  preserving  my  health,  giving  me 
strength  for  a  great  deal  of  work,  and  giving  me  many  friends 
and  helpers.  Palm  Sunday  was  a  glad  day  at  beautiful  Los 
Angeles,  and  Easter  a  glorious  day  at  San  Diego,  Calif.  Here 


SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 


the  palms  arc  so  abundant  and  as  large  as  in  Palestine,  and 
the  decorations  of  the  churches  can  therefore  be  very  fine 
and  appropriate.  Our  California  missions  are  all  under  the 
care  of  the  W.  H.  and  F.  M.  Soc.,  excepting  one,  viz:  San 
Diego." 

Describing  one  of  his  visits  to  a  remote  locality, 
where  a  few  gathered  in  the  'Church  in  the  house/  as 
in  the  New  Testament  days,  he  sa)s: 

"As  the  Scriptures  were  read  in  their  'adobe  house/  and 
prayer  offered,  tears  coursed  down  their  cheeks.  'They  wept 
when  they  remembered  their  Zion.'  One  of  our  home  mis- 
sionaries had  not  seen  a  brother  Lutheran  minister  in  nearly 
three  years.  Not  only  the  sacrifice  and  loneliness  of  our  min- 
isters and  people  impressed  me,  but  also  the  great  need  for 
the  Gospel  in  these  Western  States.  Oh  !  what  a  field  is  open 
to  us  as  a  Church,  and  what  responsibilities  are  upon  us." 

"Los  ANGELES,  CAL. 

Reached  here  on  Saturday  afternoon,  after  four  days  and 
four  nights  on  the  train.  On  arrival,  I  commenced  a  report 
to  the  Board,  and  worked  at  it  until  ten  o'clock  on  Saturday 
night.  Sunday,  preached  twice,  and  made  three  addresses, 
with  visits  to  the  sick,  etc.,  and  yesterday  wrote  four  hours 
on  report,  and  mailed  same  to  reach  Baltimore  for  the  meet- 
ing on  the  loth  of  April.  Amid  all  this  incessant  work  and 
travel,  I  have  been  kept  well,  and  enabled  to  keep  up  wonder- 


A  NOTABLE  CORRESPONDENCE.  139 

fully.  To-day  I  am  a  little  weary,  and  have  a  jaded  feeling, 
and  in  a  little  while  will  go  out  among  the  flowers.  .  .  . 
Would  that  you  could  see  this  part  of  our  wonderful  coun- 
try. Some  spots  make  one  think  of  the  descriptions  of  the 
Garden  of  Eden.  Neither  pen  nor  tongue  can  describe  the 
flowers  or  beauty  of  California.  The  air  is  redolent  with 
sweet  perfume,  and  all  around  is  beauty,  the  beauty  of  our 
Father's  handiwork.  Geraniums  grow  to  the  second  and  third 
stories  of  the  houses,  and  so  also  does  heliotrope.  Lilies  grow 
so  rapidly  that  they  make  hedges  of  them." 

"Leaving  home  March  nth  and  returning  March  2pth, 
made  the  trip  eighteen  days,  and  embraced  in  that  time  4,006 
miles  of  travel  and  twenty-two  services.  .  .  .  The  past  thir- 
teen weeks  have  been  one  incessant  strain.  Speaking  every  day 
and  night  at  the  synods,  watching  the  business,  talking  with 
the  home  missionaries  over  their  work  and  trials,  and  sleep- 
ing mostly  on  the  cars,  almost  prostrated  me.  It  is  really 
wonderful  how  I  have  kept  up  amid  the  ever-pressing  work 
and  its  demands.  'As  thy  days  so  shall  thy  strength  be,'  has 
been  verified  over  and  over  again  to  this  unworthy  servant 
of  Christ." 

"Since  September  i8th,  I  have  been  out  visiting  synods, 
and  making  special  efforts  to  secure  funds  for  new  Home 
Mission  points,  dedicating  new  churches,  'in  labors  abundant,' 
and  sometimes,  I  fear,  beyond  my  strength.  It  is  often 
very  difficult  to  control  circumstances  and  'entertainment.' 


140  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

I  must  sleep  in  cold  and  badly  ventilated  rooms,  and  eat  all 
manner  of  food  without  asking  any  questions  'for  conscience 
sake,'  or  in  order  not  to  give  offence  to  well-meaning  and 
kind-hearted  people." 

It  would  be  possible  to  protract  these  quotations 
to  a  great  length.  They  would  cover  every  detail  of 
the  life-work  of  the  Missionary  and  Secretary.  They 
show  him  finding  the  members  from  the  East  in  the 
mountains  of  the  West,  on  the  prairies,  in  mining 
camps,  preaching  in  the  Church  of  Sod,  adobe  hut  and 
open  field ;  giving  a  Communion  Service  to  one  mis- 
sion, a  box  to  another,  and  good  cheer  to  all.  Wher- 
ever the  man  moved  there  followed  a  trail  of  good.  He 
never  got  away  from  his  work.  He  did  not  know  how 
to  take  a  vacation.  There  was  an  all-consuming  zeal 
which  set  an  early  limit  to  the  strength  and  length  of 
his  life.  It  was  evident  after  the  Des  Moines  Conven- 
tion of  the  General  Synod  that  it  was  likely  his  last 
appearance  in  that  body.  The  varied  character  of  Dr. 
Barnitz's  labors  can  be  realized  by  a  paragraph  from 
this  correspondence  in  which  he  refers  to  the  death  of 
the  evangelist,  Mr.  Moody : 

"Dear  Mr.  Moody!  Many  will  rise  to  call  him  blessed. 
The  announcement  of  his  death  brought  to  mind  many  labors 
with  him  in  his  earlier  life  and  work.  We  were  together  in 
1863,  in  mission  work  in  saloon  parlors  in  Chicago.  We  spent 


A   NQf ABLE   CORRESPONDENCE.  14! 

much  time  in  prayer,  at  that  time,  asking  God  to  show  me 
whether  I  ought  to  leave  Wheeling  and  enter  upon  mission 
work  in  Chicago.  The  indications  to  me  were  clear  that  my 
field  was  the  Wheeling  mission. 

Then  we  labored  together  in  Baltimore  in  1878,  when 
your  precious  son,  Charles,  made  such  an  impression  upon 
Mr.  Moody,  as  one  of  the  ablest  and  most  spiritual  of 
preachers.  Now  he  has  'entered  into  rest/  and  will  meet 
Charles,  and  Thane  Miller,  and  Philip  Phillips,  and  Geo.  H. 
Stuart,  and  the  hundreds  of  the  Lord's  servants  who  labored 
with  him  in  the  earth.  So  rest  and  praise  come  after  ser- 
vice." 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

GREAT  DAYS  IN   CHICAGO,   WHEELING,  AND  ELSEWHERE. 

Doctor  Barnitz  was  always  in  demand  as  a  plat- 
form speaker.  He  had  .a  convention  style  of  oratory, 
with  a  stentorian  voice,  a  happy  manner  in  any  pres- 
ence, a  rich  fund  of  anecdote,  with  a  humor  that  was 
infectious.  The  greater  the  crowd,  the  keener  his  en- 
joyment of  the  occasion.  He  made  a  strong  impres- 
sion on  the  audiences  he  addressed,  and  was  known  in 
all  the  churches  because  of  his  deep  interest  in  tem- 
perance, missions,  Sunday  School  work,  and  every 
other  good  cause  in  which  all  the  Protestant  churches 
enlisted  through  interdenominational  methods. 

Among  the  notable  conventions  attended  and  ad- 
dressed by  him  was  the  Montreal  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tion  Association  Convention,  held  while  he  was  still  at 
Wheeling,  in  1867.  The  session  of  the  General  Synod 
in  Washington  City,  in  1869,  was  a  great  occasion  for 
the  Wheeling  Missionary,  who  with  Gen.  O.  O.  How- 
ard, was  one  of  the  chief  speakers  at  a  mammoth 

Sunday  School  meeting  of  all  the  Lutheran  schools  in 

142 


GREAT  DAYS   IN    CHICAGO,   ETC.  143 

the  capital.  This  meeting  was  held  in  the  First  Con- 
gregational Church. 

Another  great  occasion  was  the  meeting  in  the 
Auditorium  in  Chicago,  with  President  McKinley  the 
guest  of  honor.  It  was  a  gathering  of  more  than  six 
thousand  teachers  and  scholars  from  the  public  and 
parochial  schools  of  Chicago  and  the  suburbs.  Dr. 
Barnitz  was  thoroughly  in  his  element  on  such  an  occa- 
sion, and  moved  the  vast  throng  with  his  eloquent, 
patriotic  words.  As  he  concluded  with  a  happy  illus- 
tration, he  was  greeted  with  the  waving  of  more  than 
six  thousand  flags  and  an  enthusiastic  round  of  ap- 
plause in  which  the  President  of  the  United  States 
heartily  joined. 

Another  great  occasion  was  the  meeting  of  the 
Ohio  State  Sunday  School  Convention  in  the  City  of 
Columbus,  in  the  year  1896.  His  good  friend,  Dr. 
H.  Louis  Baugher,  appeared  on  the  platform  with  him 
and  was  given  a  rising  greeting.  To  this  meeting 
Dr.  Barnitz  gave  a  carefully  prepared  address,  the 
most  of  which  may  be  found  in  the  city  papers  of  that 
date.  His  subject  was  "The  Work  and  Rewards  of  the 
Sunday  School  Teacher."  One  paragraph  of  the  ad- 
dress was  unintentionally  descriptive  of  himself,  his 
work  and  reward: 

" Another  reward  is  the  perpetuating  our  influ- 
ence and  our  work  after  we  are  gone,  by  the  mul- 


144  SAMUEL    BACON    BARNIl'Z. 

tiplying  forces  for  good.  The  widow  who  gave 
all  that  she  had,  has  been  preaching  benevolence 
for  eighteen  centuries.  The  good  Samaritan  is 
still  journeying,  binding  up  wounds,  building  hos- 
pitals, opening  orphanages.  Paul  still  preaches 
from  Mars  Hill.  Luther  has  been  dead  many 
years,  but  the  Word  he  unbound  still  blesses  the 
world.  John  Bun  van  sleeps  undisturbed  in  Bun- 
hill  Field,  but  the  Pilgrim's  Progress  continues." 

Another  noteworthy  event  of  public  character  in 
Dr.  Barnitz's  life  was  the  Quarto-Centenial  of  the 
Children's  Home  at  Wheeling.  He  was  called  back 
to  Wheeling,  W.  Va.,  in  February,  1895,  to  take  part 
in  the  twenty-fifth  anniversary  of  the  founding  of  the 
Children's  Home  in  that  city.  It  was  a  noble  tribute 
to  the  founder  and  first  president  of  the  Home.  The 
Opera  House  was  filled,  many  prominent  people  con- 
nected with  the  institution  sitting  on  the  stage,  together 
with  scores  of  neatly  dressed  children  of  the  Home. 
Up  to  that  date  nearly  four  hundred  children  had  been 
rescued  and  saved.  The  first  inmates  of  the  Home  were 
the  wretched  mother  and  two  children  referred  to  in 
the  correspondence  and  diary  of  Dr.  Barnitz.  This 
charity  still  goes  on  as  one  of  the  incidental  impulses 
of  good  which  were  abounding  in  this  life  of  faith  and 
works. 

That  was  also  a  very  gratifying  day  when  he  was 


GREAT  DAYS   IN    CHICAGO,   ETC.  145 

recalled  to  Wheeling  again  in  1891,  to  help  lay  the 
corner-stone  of  the  enlarged  new  church,  of  which  he 
had  laid  the  first  corner-stone  twenty-nine  years  be- 
fore. A  great  crowd  gathered  to  hear  him  tell  of  the 
Rock  Christ  Jesus  as  the  true 'corner-stone  of  the  Chris- 
tian hope. 

Dr.  Barnitz  was  always  eager  to  see  that  the  Lu- 
theran Church  was  represented  at  every  general  gath- 
ering of  the  denominations.  The  Evangelical  Alliance 
heard  from  him  frequently.  Shortly  after  his  appoint- 
ment as  Western  Secretary  he  appeared  in  New  York 
at  a  meeting  held  by  the  Evangelical  Alliance  forces 
and  was  introduced  by  President  W.  E.  Dodge  as  a 
warm  personal  friend  and  a  representative  of  the  Lu- 
theran denomination.  Dr.  Barnitz  in  the  address  made 
on  that  occasion  called  the  attention  of  the  convention 
to  the  fact  that  Dr.  Samuel  Schmucker's  Appeal  for 
Christian  Union,  in  1846,  was  the  inciting  cause  which 
led  to  the  formation  of  the  Evangelical  Alliance.  The 
address  which  followed  was  a  strong  vindication  of 
the  Lutheran  Church  in  her  catholic  and  fraternal 
spirit  in  relation  to  all  other  Evangelical  churches. 

In  temper  and  practice  he  was  always  able  to  rec- 
oncile his  warm  devotion  to  his  own  church,  which 
he  loved  with  all  his  soul,  to  his  fraternal  relations  to 
all  other  Christians  whom  he  also  loved.  He  never 
confounded  loyalty  with  narrowness.  There  was  not 
a  drop  of  bigotry  in  his  veins.  He  would  travel  from 


146  SAMUEI,   BACON    BARNITZ. 

New  York  to  San  Francisco  in  order  to  see  j  ustice  done 
to  his  cause ;  that  Home  Missions  might  have  a  hear- 
ing; that  his  church  should  not  be  slighted.  Thus  he 
made  friends  in  all  circles,  and  was  known  to  the  lead- 
ers in  all  the  churches.  •  He  would  not  have  gone 
across  the  street  to  make  a  convert  to  his  own  church 
from  another  church, 


CHAPTER  XX. 


SNAP  SHOTS  FROM   THE 


The  correspondence  of  Dr.  Barnitz  sent  in  from  the 
field  was  rich  in  common  sense.  It  was  full  of  sym- 
pathy for  the  mission,  abounding  in  suggestions  of 
helpfulness,  covering  every  form  of  activity,  securing 
transportation  for  the  missionary  and  his  family  to 
some  distant  point,  or  preaching  in  a  sod  house  to  a 
little  company  who  had  not  seen  church  or  preacher 
for  years.  From  this  correspondence  we  have  selected 
here  and  there  a  sentence  for  the  purpose  of  showing 
the  tact  of  the  Secretary  as  well  as  the  varied  experi- 
ences that  were  crowded  into  the  busy  days  of  his  life. 
These  snap  shots,  as  they  might  be  called,  are  selected 
without  reference  to  their  chronological  order,  and  ex- 
plain themselves  as  every  good  picture  always  does  : 

"The  Board  will,  I  am  sure,  overlook  or  make  allowance 
for  any  defects  or  mistakes  in  this  report.  It  has  been  writ- 
ten with  some  difficulty,  frequently  laid  aside  in  the  middle 
of  a  sentence,  and  not  taken  up  until  the  next  day. 

That   1892  may  be  a  blessed  year  for  our  missions  and 
147 


J4  SAMUEt   BACON    BARN1T2. 

missionaries,  and  one  of  marked  advancement  in  the  work, 
is  the  prayer  of  Yours  very  gratefully, 

SAM'L  B.  BARNITZ, 
Western  Sec'y." 

"Since  we  started,  nearly  every  denomination  has  built  a 
new  and  elegant  church,  with  all  the  modern  attractions  of 
parlors,  kitchens,  etc.  There  is  in  B.  also  a  great  pandering 
to  the  too  popular  idea  of  'sacred  concerts,'  Sunday  night  lec- 
tures, etc.,  etc.,  and  a  good  deal  of  very  'thin  gospel.'  All 
these  things  make  the  work  of  building  up  difficult." 

"The  missionaries  engaged  in  keeping  their  people  from 
starving  and  freezing  have  been  able  to  do  little  else  for  sev- 
eral months,  and  their  reports  on  services,  etc.,  etc.,  are 
meagre,  and  will  likely  be  until  'the  calamity  be  over-past.' 
The  blessedness  of  the  work  of  relief,  however,  cannot  be 
estimated." 

"They  feel  they  must  have  a  fairly  good  preacher  and 
worker,  AND  THEY  ARE  RIGHT.  The  American  population  is  an 
intelligent  one,  and  the  Americanized  Bohemians  are  not  far 
behind  them.  It  will  require  an  appropriation  of  perhaps 
$300.00  to  place  a  good  man  at  M.,  and  the  field  is  worth  the 
money.  The  new  missionary  must  be  an  orderly  man,  and 
get  all  documents,  records,  etc.,  etc.,  in  good  shape,  binding 
the  congregation  and  property  in  such  way  that  it  cannot 
be  taken  from  the  General  Synod." 


SNAP  SHOTS  £ROM   THE  FIELD.  149 

"NORCATUR.  I  held  services  at  this  place  Sunday  morn- 
ing, Aug.  25th,  and  drove  to  Oberlin— 19  miles— in  the  after- 
noon. The  trip  was  an  intensely  severe  one,  as  the  'hot  winds' 
were  blowing,  and  literally  'cooking'  whatever  came  in  their 
way.  With  no  top  to  the  wagon,  and  the  winds  so  strong  as 
to  forbid  holding  an  umbrella,  and  at  times  even  the  wearing 
of  a  hat,  the  drive  was  exhausting  and  fairly  consuming.  But 
the  journey  was  made,  and  the  large  audience  at  Oberlin, 
and  the  words  of  appreciation  from  some  of  our  own  sick 
and  suffering  people,  and  from  many  citizens  of  Oberlin, 
entirely  compensated  for  the  trials  by  the  way." 

''Every  famliy  and  every  member  that  could  be  reached 
was  visited,  though  the  heat  was  fairly  exhausting.  The  at- 
tendance at  worship  Sunday  morning  was  31,  at  Sunday 
School  36,  and  at  evening  service  90." 

"Herewith  find  expense  account  to  April  3Oth,  the  close 
of  the  business.  It  is  rather  a  remarkable  one — showing  7,151 
miles  of  travel,  including  all  expenses  of  meals,  sleepers,  etc., 
at  a  cost  of  $16.55,  or  less  than  *4  of  a  cent  per  mile.  Mean- 
while I  have  sent  our  own  treasurer  and  synodical  treasurer 
more  than  twice  that  amount  from  offerings  along  the  way. 
There  was  also  a  donation  of  $10.00  on  type-writing  work, 
which,  with  the  reductions  heretofore  made,  has  brought  the 
expense  of  this  part  of  the  work  far  below  the  appropriation 
authorized  for  it.  The  postage  it  is  difficult  to  reduce,  as 
every  letter  must  be  answered,  even  though  the  letter  con- 


150  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

tains  but  little  of  importance.  Then  too,  many  letters  or 
cards  of  cheer  and  encouragement,  or  of  comfort  in  sorrow, 
must  be  written,  and  they  do  more  good  than  can  be  esti- 
mated. Packages  of  literature,  papers,  etc.,  etc.,  are  sent  to 
new  points  to  keep  in  touch  with  the  people,  until  a  mission 
can  be  opened." 

"The  month  has  been  another  one  marked  by  discomfort 
and  anxiety  in  travel  on  account  of  floods,  'wash-outs,'  and 
country  roads  almost  impassable.  Safety  and  help  have  been 
vouchsafed,  however,  and  a  large  amount  of  work  has  been 
done." 

"More  has  been  accomplished  during  1896  than  during 
any  four  years  preceding.  On  these  grounds,  I  plead  for  a 
continuation  of  the  same  appropriation." 

"I  will,  D.  V.,  spend  Sunday,  May  30th,  at  Greenleaf  and 
Barnes,  and  arrange  'on  same  trip  for  services  at  Effingham 
and  Waterville.  This  will  require  a  'forced  march'  from  Day- 
ton, Ohio,  but  it  can  be  made  by  leaving  Dayton  early  Friday 
morning,  and  journeying  until  Saturday  evening.  My  work 
at  the  Woman's  Convention  will  be  completed  by  Thursday 
night,  27th." 

"Letter  from  Prof.  E.,  is  a  characteristic  one.  At  first, 
I  thought  I  would  pay  no  attention  to  it,  but  as  that  would 
have  broken  my  fixed  rule  to  answer  every  letter  of  every  kind, 


SNAP  SHOTS  FROM   THE)  FIELD.  1$! 

I  submitted  the  matter  and  my  reply  to  Prest.  Albert  and 
Vice  Prest.  Parson,  and  after  hearing  from  them  that  reply 
is  all  right,  I  mailed  it." 

"I  spent  Sunday,  April  25th,  at  Nevada,  Iowa,  formerly 
a  mission,  and  a  weak  one,  now  developing  into  a  vigorous 
congregation,  making  splendid  returns  for  all  our  outlay, 
and  all  the  labor  and  anxiety  put  upon  it.  New  openings  are 
being  entered  through  this  mission,  and  a  second  pastor  will 
now  be  called  for  the  country  work.  I  had  a  cheering  visit, 
excepting  the  drive  to  the  country  through  'mud  to  the  horses' 
knees  and  beyond  the  hubs  of  the  wheels/  A  pair  of  splendid 
dray  draft  horses  pulled  us  through— the  driver  having  fitted 
the  conveyance  with  double-trees  from  one  of  the  strongest 
transfer  wagons." 

"I  -believe  we  ought  to  place  a  good,  live  young  man  at 
McCook,  and  place  the  other  work  in  the  hands  of  a  second 
or  additional  missionary.  I  say  'young  man*  only  in  the  sense 
of  man  with  a  small  family,  who  has  vigor  and  'gumption.' 
Secretary  Hartman  reports  a  number  of  'splendid  young  men 
at  Seminary  at  Gettysburg  this  year.'  Can  we  not  induce 
some  of  them  to  come  West  and  'endure  hardships'  for  a 
few  years,  at  least?" 

"I  wrote  one  of  the  former  members  of  Wheeling  mission, 
to  come  to  train  for  a  greeting.  Also  said  that  if  train 
passed  earlier  than  7  143  P.  M.  I  would  have  stopped  off  for  a 


I52  -v  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

missionary  service.  Train  time  had  been  changed,  so  that  I 
did  not  reach  W.  until  8:18,  which  meant  8:48  local  time. 
Immediately  on  arrival  I  was  told  that  they  had  decided  to 
hold  a  service  at  any  hour  train  would  come,  and  that  the 
congregation  was  in  waiting.  I  found  about  70  persons  at 
the  church,  who  listened  well  to  an  appeal  to  become  self- 
supporting  as  soon  as  possible,  and  to  give  more  largely  to 
missions." 

"The  month  sums  up  3,035  miles  of  travel,  twelve  ad- 
dresses and  sermons,  two  dedications,  with  $5,200.00  solicited 
and  secured,  and  over  one  hundred  letters  and  postals,  with 
many  papers,  tracts,  etc.,  sent  out.  All  this,  however,  and 

much  more  could  not  meet  the  demands  of  the  growing  work. 
Oh,  that  the  Church  could  be  awakened  to  our  Home  Mission 
opportunities,  and  that  the  servants  of  the  Church  had  double 
strength  for  the  labor  of  extending  and  enlarging  our  borders, 
and  'strengthening  the  things  that  remain,'  some  of  which 
are  almost  'ready  to  die.'  " 


MOINES.  Could  any  outlook  for  success  ever  have 
been  so  unfavorable  as  the  mission  beginnings  at  Des  Moines 
in  1865?  The  story  of  the  beginnings  here  shows  them  to  hair 
been  more  unpromising  than  those  of  any  mission  now  on  our 
list.  As  we  heard  the  records  and  the  story  on  Monday  night 
last,  and  then  looked  around  us  at  the  beautiful  sanctuary 
and  large  congregation,  Dr.  Clutz  remarked,  '/  have  hope  for 
W.  and  every  other  place.' 


SNAP  SHOTS  FROM   THE)  FIELD.  I  §3 

As  I  had  urged  the  new  church  enterprise  from  the  day 
of  reaching  Des  Moines,  the  pleasant  (?)  duty  of  asking  for 
the  money  to  meet  all  obligations  was  laid  upon  'the  Western 
Sec'y  of  Lutheran  Missions.'  Many  said  the  amount  needed, 
$3,600.00,  could  not  be  raised,  and  others  doubted  the  wisdom 
of  asking  for  it.  Still  others  said,  'deduct  the  cost  of  parson- 
age, and  try  for  church  indebtedness  only.'  But  we  asked 
for  the  whole  of  it,  and  got  it,  to  the  surprise  and  joy  of  the 
large  congregation." 

"Being  obliged  to  return  from  California  via  Portland, 
Oregon,  and  resting  there  on  Sunday,  or  rather  expecting 
to  rest  there,  I  attended  services  at  the  General  Council  mis- 
sion, Rev.  M.  L.  Zweizig,  missionary.  He  received  me  most 
cordially,  and  insisted  on  an  address  to  the  Sunday  School, 
and  a  sermon  Sunday  night.  Two-thirds  of  the  members  of 
this  mission  are  General  Synod  people,  and  of  the  very  best. 
A  more  cordial  greeting  could  not  have  been  given  me  by  any 
of  our  own  missionaries,  nor  could  any  of  our  congregations 
have  given  closer  attention  or  spoken  kindlier  words  of  appre- 
ciation. Bro.  Zweizig  said,  'You  have  done  us  all  great  good, 
and  been  most  helpful  to  me,  and  I  thank  you  for  coming  to 
Portland.'  " 

"The  success  in  San  Francisco  shatters  to  pieces  the  idea 
that  'Lutheran  Material'  consists  only  of  persons  of  Lutheran 
parentage,  Lutheran  training  or  Lutheran  countries.  Bro. 
Miller  has  gone  out  after  'unsaved  sinners'  'out  of  every  nation 


154  SAMUEt   BACON    BARNlfZ. 

under  heaven,'  and  has  demonstrated  that  both  the  'original 
Yankee'  and  the  'original  Californian'  make  good  Christian 
Lutherans.  We  have  reason  to  rejoice  and  give  thanks  to 
God  for  the  success  of  this  work." 

"By  urgent  request  of  the  late  Rev.  Geo.  D.  Gotwald,  our 
wise  and  faithful  missionary  at  Kansas  City,  I  had  arranged 
to  spend  Sunday,  Jan.  I2th,  with  him,  assisting  him  at  Com- 
munion, and  other  special  services  of  that  day.  Little  did 
he  or  I  think  that  we  were  planning  for  my  presence  at  the 
side  of  his  death-bed,  and  for  his  funeral  services.  He  was 
very  urgent  as  to  my  coming,  and  wrote  me  several  times, 
after  leaving  him  Decem.  iQth,  1889.  He  said :  'It  will  be  your 
last  official  visit  to  me,  as  we  will  be  self-sustaining 
March  ist.' " 

'SACRAMENTO.  The  days  spent  in  this  Capitol  City  of  the 
Golden-State — May  9  to  14 — were  very  busy  ones,  but  full  of 
cheer  and  encouragement  on  account  of  the  progress  of  the 
work,  and  the  noble  spirit  and  self-sacrifice  of  the  missionary 
and  his  excellent  wife.  The  Board  will  recall  our  report  of 
last  year,  in  which  we  told  of  tramping  Sacramento  from  end 
to  end  until  foot-sore  and  weary,  and  rinding  but  one  person — 
a  grand,  good  woman,  who,  with  her  daughter  and  two  little 
grand-daughters,  was  ready  to  go  into  and  push  a  Lutheran 
Church.  We  reported  fa  good  field/  because  of  many  unsaved 
people,  and  many  people  not  identified  with  churches,  and  not 
a  great  deal  of  church  activity  in  other  denominations.  Under 


SNAP  SHOTS  FROM   THE  FIELD.  1 55 

these  circumstances,  Missionary  Hoskinson  commenced  his 
work,  and  laboring  'in  season  and  out  of  season,'  canvassing 
every  street  and  every  house — encouraged  by  some  and  ridi- 
culed by  others — he  has  organized  a  congregation  of  splendid 
people,  has  good  audiences,  a  nice  beginning  for  a  Sunday 
School,  ladies'  aid  society,  etc.,  etc." 

"There  seems  to  be  almost  a  mania  in  resignations,  and 
for  returning  to  the  East.  There  are  a  number  of  reasons  for 
this,  but  chiefly  'worn  out  with  years  of  sacrifice  and  trial 
and  isolation,  and  on  salaries  insufficient  to  keep  their  families 
comfortably.'  In  the  great  scarcity  of  capable  men,  openings 
are  abundant  at  better  salaries  than  our  missionaries  are  re- 
ceiving. Their  families  grow  weary  of  the  sacrifices  and 
struggles  if  even  they  do  not,  and  being  mostly  from  the 
East,  become  'home-sick.'  Other  reasons  and  causes  are  also 
given,  but  the  above  are,  I  am  sure,  the  principal  ones.  The 
faithful  men  in  the  Western  mission  field  deserve  sympathy 
and  kind  and  cheering  words.  Putting  ourselves  in  their  places, 
considering  carefully  the  difference  in  conditions  and  sur- 
roundings, is  the  only  possible  way  to  comprehend  fully  the  sit-' 
uation." 

"Reaching  Alliance  Conference,  Chicago,  Rev.  G.  U. 
Wenner  met  me  at  door  and  said:  'Where  in  the  world  have 
you  been,  Barnitz?  You  should  have  been  here  an  hour  ago, 
and  we  should  have  had  some  word  from  you.  I  was  assured 


156  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

by  Dr.  Albert,,  President  of  your  Board,  that  you  would  be 
here,  or  that  some  representative  would  be  present.'  I  re- 
plied, 'Well,  Bro.  W.,  this  is  the  first  intimation  I  have  had 
of  appointment  or  a  desire  to  have  me  present.'  He  then 
called  Rev.  Dr.  Strong,  who  said  he  was  glad  the  Lutheran 
Church  would  be  represented.  I  told  Bro.  Wenner  I  was 
greatly  embarrassed  to  go  to  the  platform  without  a  moment's 
thought  on  the  subject,  or  preparation  for  it,  and  without 
having  even  heard  the  principal  paper,  that  I  did  not  want 
to  do  injustice  to  our  Church,  but  could  tell  the  Alliance  our 
policy  and  some  things  peculiar  to  our  own  Lutheran  field. 
He  said,  'that  will  do,  and  I  am  mighty  glad  you  are  here  to 
do  that.' " 

"Greatly  would  I  enjoy  a  visit  of  several  weeks  at  home, 
as  I  have  been  there  but  little  since  March — indeed,  very 
little  during  1893.  All  engagements  with  synods,  missions 
and  women's  societies  have  been  met,  and  all  correspondence 
kept  up  promptly  and  to  date.  The  visitations  since  last 
report  required  over  3,700  miles  of  travel,  36  addresses  and 
sermons,  with  interviews  innumerable,  and  listening  to  many 
accounts  of  sacrifices  and  suffering.  No  accident  has  befallen 
me,  good  health  has  been  vouchsafed,  and  uniform  kindness 
in  word  and  deed  manifested  at  every  synod,  mission  and  con- 
vention. This  Western  trip,  and  the  one  to  Kansas  Synod, 
revealed  sacrifice  and  suffering,  which  was  a  great  drain  on 
the  sympathies  of  any  one  who  has  a  heart — and  would  have 
been  on  the  purse  had  there  been  anything  in  it."' 


SNAP  SHOTS  FROM   THE  FIELD.  157 

"On  Friday  afternoon,  March  i6th,  I  met  with  the  students 
of  Hamma  Divinity  Hall,  and  for  an  hour  and  a  half  dis- 
cussed Home  Missions.  The  session  had  closed  at  noon,  but 
the  students  remained  over — by  request  of  Dr.  Gotwald — for 
this  service.  The  young  men  showed  a  deep  interest  in  the 
subject  of  Home  Missions,  and  some  of  them  promised  to  con- 
sider the  matter  of  taking  hold  of  Western  work.  I  have 
asked  for  a  list  of  the  brightest  and  best,  so  that  I  may  know 
them  when  an  application  comes." 

"Would  that  every  member  of  the  Board,  yea,  and  many 
members  of  our  churches,  could  have  been  present  at  the 
congregational  meeting.  Such  pleading  for  a  continuation  of 
Lutheran  services,  such  readiness  to  sacrifice  even  of  their 
food  and  clothing,  that  they  may  have  the  gospel,  and  the 
Church  of  their  fathers  in  their  midst,  I  have  seldom  witnessed. 
They  deserve  all  the  help  we  can  give  them  without  doing 
injustice  to  our  other  work." 

"In  some  moments  it  pleases  God  to  give  me,  I  see  rising 
alone  in  the  mists  and  darkness  of  past  mistakes,  our  beloved 
Lutheran  Church — God's  dear  child — whose  whole  beauty 
has  never  yet  been  fully  disclosed.  That  she  is  divine,  I  know 
by  her  girdle  of  pure  doctrine,  and  by  that  atmosphere  of 
love,  that,  issuing  from  her  as  light  from  a  star,  moves  with 
her  more  royal  than  a  king's  apparel.  In  this,  too,  I  know 
her  divinity,  that  she  blesses  those  who  wound  her — if  such 
there  be — and  like  her  Master,  forgives  even  her  enemies." 


158  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

"It  takes  an  immense  amount  of  thought  and  labor  to 
keep  some  of  our  missionaries  encouraged,  and  to  have  them 
understand  the  exact  situation  of  affairs,  even  in  their  own 
fields.  On  behalf  of  this  New  Mexico  work,  and  to  encour- 
age and  'help  and  strengthen  our  missionary  there,  I  think  I 
have  written  well  nigh  enough  to  make  'a  book.' " 

"I  was  called  to  make  a  special  trip  to  the  East  to  seek  a 
man  for  Denver.  Rev.  C.  W.  Heisler  was  sought  for  Los 
Angeles,  Cal.,  and  had  no  conception  of  going  there  until 
solicited  by  the  Board.  Gen'l  Secy.  Clutz  and  myself  were 
instructed  to  seek  Mr.  Neiffer  for  Denver,  after  the  resigna- 
tion of  Bro.  Heilman,  who  had  been  selected  by  the  Board 
as  first  missionary,  and  I  called  at  the  last  to  lay  it  on  his 
conscience  that  he  ought  to  go  to  D.  Indeed  most  of  the 
men  for  our  prominent  missions  have  been  sought  after,  and 
have  themselves  never  made  application  to  the  Board  for  the 
positions  they  hold." 

"WOMAN'S  CONVENTION,  SYNOD  of  N.  ILLINOIS. 
By  special  request  and  urging  of  the  officers  of  this  Society 
to  present  the  cause  of  Home  Missions,  I  was  present  on 
Monday  evening,  Oct.  2,  though  it  required  a  journey  of  over 
seven  hundred  miles  to  accomplish  this.  I  thought  it  wise  to 
make  it,  as  the  Foreign  work  was  to  be  presented  by  both 
Dr.  Scholl,  Secy.,  and  Miss  Dr.  Kugler — returned  from  India. 
We  had  an  excellent  meeting,  a.  ml  the  representatives  of  the 


SNAP  SHOTS  FROM   THE  FIELD.  1 59 

societies  expressed  a  feeling  of  need  that  more  must  be  done 
for  the  Home  field." 

"There  have  been  cases  demanding  plain,  straight-forward 
criticism  of  men  (for  the  good  of  the  work),  which  criticisms 
have  somehow  or  other  gotten  to  the  man,  or  men,  and  they 
have  become  personal  enemies  to  the  Secretary  making  them, 
and,  unless  'Grace  abounded,'  have  tried  to  injure  them. 
Criticisms  are  not  made  in  any  unkind  or  unfriendly  or  per- 
sonal spirit,  but  solely  in  the  interests  and  for  the  highest 
good  of  the  work.  I  am  sure  our  Board  understands  this." 

"KENTUCKY,  FLORENCE,  BOONE  Co.  In  response  to  fre- 
quent requests  from  Rev.  \H.  Max  Lentz,  the  faithful  pastor 
of  the  Boone  Co.,  Ky.,  churches,  I  wrote  him  I  would  give 
them  Sept.  18  and  19.  His  letter  tells  of  the  appointments 
and  his  desire  to  have  the  people  instructed  regarding  Home 
Missions.  Three  services  were  held:  Monday,  7:30  P,  M., 
Tuesday,  10  A.  M.,  and  i  P.  M.  The  churches  were  crowded 
and  the  people  gave  close  attention,  though  a  good  many 
'shook  their  heads'  when  the  'money  for  Home  Missions'  plea 
was  made.  They  nevertheless  gave  something,  and  the  few 
members  interested  in  Missions  expressed  grat  gratitude  for 
the  visit  and  its  results.  The  pastor  was  cheered,  as  he  felt,  en- 
dorsed and  'backed  up'  in  what  he  had  been  preaching,  and  in 
pleading  for  'at  least  the  little  apportionment'" 

"SYNOD  OF  SOUTHERN  ILLINOIS.    This  Synod  was  attended 


l6o  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

Sept.  8th  to  nth,  and  seven  addresses  and  sermons  delivered. 
Though  the  year  has  been  a  very  trying  one  on  account  of 
drought,  and  several  long  vacancies,  there  are  yet  signs  of 
improvement — a  growing  interest  in  the  work  of  the  church, 
houses  of  worship  improved,  etc.  This  might  not  appear  if 
we  judge  only  from  the  treasurer's  books,  but  even  these  would 
have  made  a  much  better  showing  had  the  farmers  and  fruit- 
growers not  been  impoverished  by  one  of  the  severest  droughts 
known  in  many  years. 

Could  we  but  fill  the  vacancies  now  existing  with  good, 
active  men,  it  would  not  be  long  until  the  contributions  for 
all  our  benevolent  work  would  be  doubled.  Southern  Illinois 
is  a  splendid  field  for  us — the  material  for  many  new  churches, 
and  the  enlargement  of  the  work  already  commenced  is  there, 
and  it  only  needs  careful  cultivating  by  earnest  and  educated 
men — and  patient  waiting — to  bring  forth  an  excellent  har- 
vest." 

"A  letter  from  Rev.  Cephas  Baird,  of  Morristown,  111., 
says  he  has  opened  a  new  station  at  Osco,  started  a  Sunday 
School,  and  commenced  preaching.  He  says  the  field  is  one 
of  rich  promise,  there  bein^  a  Scandinavian  congregation 
nearby,  numbering  one  thousand  members.  He  asks  for  aid 
to  the  extent  of  one  hundred  dollars  to  develop  this  field,  and 
asks  for  our  influence  for  Sunday  School  Helps  from  the 
Board  of  Publication.  I  have  written  Supt.  Boner,  asking  for 
a  donation  of  books  and  papers,  and  have  written  Mr.  Baird 
to  move  carefully,  to  confer  with  Adv.  Board  of  Synod  of 


SNAP  SHOTS  FROM   THE  £lEU>.  l6l 


N.  Illinois,  and  report  again.  I  have  also  told  him  of  the 
condition  of  our  treasury,  and  the  overwhelming  demands 
upon  us,  and  expressed  doubt  as  to  the  ability  of  the  Board 
to  extend  aid  at  this  time.  It  would  do  good,  however,  if  the 
treasury  will  at  all  justify,  to  make  a  small  appropriation  from 
'Special  Mission'  fund.  This  will  encourage  a  mission  in  a 
field  teeming  with  young  people  of  our  own  household  of 
faith." 


OUTLOOK.  From  present  indications  there  will  be 
much  need  and  suffering  in  the  states  and  territories  west  of 
Iowa  the  coming  winter.  In  parts  of  the  wheat  belt  of  Kan- 
sas, the  Dakotas,  and  Nebraska,  there  will  scarcely  be  one 
bushel  of  wheat  to  the  acre.  Kansas  and  Western  Nebraska 
are  already  suffering,  and  continued  drought  makes  the  out- 
look for  corn  and  potatoes  very  gloomy.  All  these  things 
must  be  taken  into  account  in  considering  our  Western  Home 
Mission  work,  and  the  whole  church  should  understand  the 
sacrifices  being  made  by  the  men  and  women  on  our  list  of 
missionaries.  The  crop  prospects  in  many  parts  of  the  west 
have  not  been  so  gloomy  for  years,  and  this  fact,  with  the 
general  depression  in  business  and  the  general  lack  of  confi- 
dence, will  make  our  work  more  difficult  than  it  has  been  for 
many  years.  'They  that  are  strong  should  bear  the  infirmities 
of  the  weak/  and  our  strong  churches  and  more  highly  pros- 
pered parts  of  the  land  will  be  called  upon  to  help  the  needy 
and  less  prospered." 


1 62  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

"Gifts  TO  HOME  MISSIONS.  With  very  great  joy  I  am 
privileged  to  report  a  gift  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars 
from  my  friend,  Mr. ,  of  Wheeling,  W.  Va.,  and  one  hun- 
dred dollars  from  'A  Child  of  the  King,  in  His  Name.'  Mr. 

• is  the  same  who  gave  me  five  hundred  dollars  for  special 

use  at  Thanksgiving.  He  is  not  a  Lutheran,  but  having  intro- 
duced a  Lutheran  church  paper  into  his  home  in  1863  it  has 
kept  him  informed  as  to  our  work,  and  brings  forth  fruit.  He 
also  handed  me  one  hundred  dollars  for  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion, and  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  for  the  Board  of  For- 
eign Missions.  'The  Child  of  a  King'  is  the  same  who  gave  me 
one  hundred  dollars  as  a  birthday  thank-offering,  reported 
with  Luther  Day  contributions.  Bro.  G.  G.  Burnett  has  also 
sent  one  hundred  dollars,  through  Dr.  Hamma,  in  part  savings 
from  railroad  fare,  because  of  special  favors  secured  for  him 
from  numerous  lines  of  railway.  It  is  indeed  pleasant  to  write 
of  such  gifts.  With  thanksgiving  I  can  report  free  transpor- 
tation secured  for  Rev.  Dr.  Clutz  from  Atchison,  Kas.,  to 
Baltimore,  Md.,  and  return,  so  that  he  can  be  present  at  the 
Jubilee  Meeting  in  May." 

"Without  presuming  at  all,  I  am  free  to  say  that  neglect 
of  the  far  west,  even  the  churches  and  fields  which  seem  weak 
now,  will  lead  to  the  same  results  which  neglect  of  towns  and 
cities  in  Illinois  and  Indiana  has  led  to,  because  of  the  policy 
of  thirty  and  thirty-five  years  ago.  It  has  been  very  truly 
said  that  'as  there  are  over  80,000  more  Lutheran  communicants 
in  the  states  west  of  Chicago  than  in  the  states  east  of  that 


SNAP  SHOTS  FROM  TH£  tflELD.  163 

city,  our  great  work  as  a  church  in  giving  the  faith  of  the 
fathers  in  the  language  of  the  children  must  be  in  the  west, 
though  the  east,  too,  is  full  of  opportunities  as  yet  unim- 
proved.' " 

"CALIFORNIA.  In  response  to  letters  from  the  missionaries 
on  the  Coast,  urging  a  visit  to  the  coming  convention  of  the 
Synod,  April  4th,  and  to  the  several  missions  on  that  territory, 
and  especially  to  the  dedication  at  San  Diego,  and  hearing 
nothing  to  the  contrary  from  the  Board,  I  have  planned  to 
attend  the  Synod,  reaching  San  Diego  (D.  V.)  for  the  open- 
ing of  Synod,  and  giving  a  Sunday,  if  possible,  to  each  mis- 
sion in  California.  The  card  from  the  President  is  very 
urgent  as  is  also  the  desire  of  the  church  at  San  Diego.  I 
have  written  the  Executive  Committee  of  W.  H.  and  F.  M. 
Soc.  that  I  will  try  to  meet  with  them  before  going  to  the 
Coast,  so  as  to  carry  any  greetings  they  may  want  to  send, 
and  learn  their  views  concerning  their  work  in  our  hands  in 
California." 


"I  earnestly  hope  we  may  secure  some  good  men  from 
the  seminaries  and  fill  the  vacancies  in  Kansas  and  Nebraska 
by  the  first  of  July.  I  cannot  but  feel,  however,  that  there 
ought  to  be  more  teaching  in  our  seminaries,  and  perhaps, 
more  preaching  also,  as  to  what  the  Saviour  means  when  He 
speaks  of  'forsaking'  father  and  mother,  sister  and  brother, 
houses  and  lands,  for  His  sake  and  the  gospel's.'" 


IO  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 


MIAMI  SYNOD.  Only  one  hour  could  be  given  to  this 
Synod,  in  session  at  Urbana,  Ohio.  Synod  promptly  voted 
'all  the  time  the  W.  Secy,  can  use  in  presenting  the  work  of 
Home  Missions.'  The  hour  from  opening  —  9  A.  M.  —  to  train 
time  —  10  A.  M.  —  was  used  in  presenting  the  work  and  answer- 
ing questions.  The  Convention  was  a  delightful  one  in  every 
respect." 

"Brother  O.  has  spared  no  pains  to  bring  the  congregations 
up  to  a  realization  of  privilege  and  responsibility,  the  results 
of  which  are  very  manifest.  A  comparison  with  the  benevolent 
reports  of  eleven  years  ago  will  show  handsome  growth  in 
the  grace  of  giving.  There  is  also  advancement  in  church 
order,  catechization,  etc.  Indeed  our  Missions,  as  a  rule,  de- 
velop the  synods  with  which  they  are  connected." 

"Reached  Los  Angeles  on  Saturday  morning  at  eleven- 
twenty  and  had  a  most  cordial  reception  by  Bro.  and  Mrs.  S., 
and  the  members  of  the  church.  Held  five  services  with  the 
congregation  and  S.  Schools  and  young  people  yesterday,  and 
was  much  pleased  with  the  attendance  and  attention.  Every- 
thing here  is  in  good  condition.  The  people,  as  far  as  I  have 
seen  them  (and  I  have  met  quite  a  number),  are  well  pleased 
and  entirely  satisfied  with  Bro.  S.  He  has  done  good  work. 
The  S.  School  is  greatly  improved  in  every  way  —  the  debt  has 
been  reduced  during  the  year  one  thousand  dollars  ;  the 
audiences  are  larger  than  ever  before,  and  there  is  every  rea- 
son to  be  encouraged.  Bro.  S.  does  not  see  the  encourage- 


SNAP   SHOTS  FROM   THE  Fl£U>.  165 

ments  as  much  as  he  sees  the  dark  side  of  things.  He  thinks 
every  member  of  the  church  ought  to  be  in  his  and  her  place, 
and  do  full  duty  all  the  time  and  always.  He  is  right  in  his 
view,  but  he  cannot  always  have  people  just  exactly  as  they 
should  do.  Bro.  S.  measures  work  out  here  too  much  with  a 
Lebanon  or  Pennsylvania  Lutheran  tape  line. 

So  far  as  membership  or  active  work  is  concerned,  we  have 
but  little  here,  but  so  far  as  handsome  church  property  and 
a  field  to  be  developed  is  concerned,  we  have  a  great  deal. 
There  were  twenty-eight  (28)  at  S.  School,  including  officers, 
teachers  and  scholars,  and  twenty-three  persons,  men,  women 
and  children,  at  morning  service.  At  night  the  audience  num- 
bered over  one  'hundred  (100),  but  the  Methodist  minister 
had  closed  his  church  and  brought  his  congregation  to  wor- 
ship with  us.  I  learned,  however,  from  one  of  our  very  best 
members,  that  the  Methodists  in  the  audience  did  not  number 
over  thirty  (30),  and  that  there  were  at  least  fifty  (50)  per- 
sons present  who  are  not  now  identified  with  any  church. 
*  *  *  True  piety,  consecration  and  separation  from  the 
world  are  not  elements  of  popularity  in  this  section.  At  the 
office  of  the  hotel,  where  I  was  stopping,  they  played  cards 
all  day  Sunday." 

"MIDDLE  TENNESSEE.  I  wish  the  Boards  could  see  the 
improvements  in  church  property,  church-order,  church  music, 
mission  interest,  etc.,  etc.,  as  I  note  them  from  visit  to  visit. 
They  would  say  these  changes  are  worth  all  the  expense  and 
all  the  sacrifice  of  visitation  from  year  to  year.  And  with 


l66  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNlTZ. 

better  church-order  and  church-life,  will  come  larger  giving. 
Altogether  matters  look  hopeful  and  encouraging.  They  have 
added  new  pews  to  the  church,  and  with  the  appropriate 
church  furniture,  furnished  by  Dr.  Ender's  'Bee  Hive  Sunday 
School,'  the  audience  room  has  quite  a  churchly  appearance. 
There  will  also  be  enough  in  the  'Furniture  Fund'  from  the 
'Bee  Hive'  to  provide  collection  plates,  which  I  have  ordered 
for  them — the  offerings  heretofore  in  all  the  churches  of  the 
Tennessee  Synod  having  been  lifted  with  hats,  and  often  the 
most  forlorn-looking  and  greasy  hats  that  could  be  found  in 
the  audience.  Not  unfrequently  the  'Offertory'  was  some  un- 
suitable chorus  or  gloomy  hymn  with  inappropriate  chorus,  as 
'Plunged  in  a  gulf  of  dark  despair 

Glory  hallelujah!' 

All  this  is  now  changed  in  many  of  the  churches,  and  there 
is  such  order  and  solemnity  as  becomes  the  House  of  God." 

''NEW  ENGUSH  WORK.  To  look  up  a  suitable  location 
for  a  second  English  church  in  Chicago,  I  will  arrange  to 
meet  General  Secretary  Hartman  at  such  time  as  may  best 
suit  his  plans  and  engagements,  so  soon  as  I  am  able  to  travel. 
The  physician  thinks  I  should  not  attempt  to  go  from  home 
this  month,  but  I  trust  he  is  mistaken  by  a  week  or  ten  days. 
It  is,  however,  as  he  says,  'necessary  to  be  careful,'  and  this  I 
keenly  feel.  For  the  first  time  since  in  the  work,  I  was  alarmed 
as  to  the  results  of  my  sickness,  and  more  glad  to  get  home 
than  ever  before  in  my  life.  Hence,  as  recovery  is  coming 
and  strength  returning,  the  part  of  wisdom  is  to  be  careful, 


SNAP  SHOTS  FROM   TH£  FIELD.  167 

even  though  the  work  be  pressing.  To  this  I  know  my  ever 
kind  and  considerate  Board  of  Home  Missions  will  say  a 
hearty  'Amen' 

Is  there  a  good  strong  man  in  view  for  Chicago?  The 
important  factor  in  the  new  work  ivill  be  the  man!" 

"Reached  Lima  on  Thursday,  December  17,  and,  though  in 
wretched  physical  condition,  held  a  service  with  the  congre- 
gation that  evening,  and  looked  over  parts  of  the  city  next 
morning.  The  attendance  at  the  service  was  very  good  for 
a  week  night,  especially  as  there  was  much  sickness  in  the 
city.  My  effort  was  to  encourage  the  congregation  and  pas- 
tor to  go  forward  with  strong  faith  in  God  and  greater  confi- 
dence in  their  own  efforts.  I  assured  them  of  the  support  of 
our  Home  Mission  Board,  and  told  them  of  the  success  of 
other  missions  with  not  nearly  such  good  prospects.  Secre- 
tary Weber  was  to  have  been  there  the  same  evening,  but  was 
detained  by  sickness.  The  work  at  Lima  needs  the  backing 
of  the  Board  of  Church  Extension  in  order  to  make  it  suc- 
cessful. With  a  good  lot  bought  by  the  Board,  and  a  little 
help  towards  building,  a  church  edifice  can  be  erected  the 
coming  spring,  and  that  will  make  the  mission  an  assured  suc- 
cess." 

"In  response  to  letters  I  attended  the  dedication  of  'Trin- 
ity' Lutheran  Church  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  January  23,  1895,  the 
congregation  paying  expenses.  The  day  was  one  of  great 
interest  to  General  Synod  Lutheran  Home  Mission  work.  At 


l68  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNlTZ. 

the  afternoon  service  over  300  people  were  turned  away, 
though  every  spot  on  which  a  man  or  woman  could  sit  or  stand 
was  utilized  in  the  church  building.  It  was  estimated  that 
half  as  many  more  people  than  the  house  was  supposed  to  ac- 
commodate, were  crowded  into  it  at  the  afternoon  service. 
'Trinity/  the  sixth  English  Lutheran  church  built  in  Louis- 
ville, Ky.,  in  twenty  years,  has  the  best  church  edifice  of  any 
of  them,  and  is  magnificently  located.  What  a  splendid  record 
for  our  Home  Mission  work.  Six  churches — and  good  ones — 
organized  in  twenty  years !  And  what  a  testimonial  to  the 
wisdom  and  breadth  of  view  of  Dr.  S.  A.  Ort,  pastor  of  the 
first  church,  who  insisted  upon  the  second.  It  can  truly  be 
said  that  the  work  of  Home  Missions  has  made  the  Olive 
Branch  Synod  the  influential  body  it  now  is." 

"Conclusion.  The  Bill  of  Expenses  herewith  sent,  shows 
218  days  of  constant  service,  travel  to  the  extent  of  16,568 
miles,  116  sermons,  Home  Mission  talks  and  addresses  before 
synods  and  women's  conventions,  over  900  letters  and  mail 
packages  sent  out,  and  more  money  raised  in  two  places  alone 
than  covered  the  entire  expense  of  $108.40.  Scores  of  our 
missionaries  have  been  helped  by  the  personal  solicitation  of 
boxes  of  clothing,  communion  sets,  etc.,  etc.,  and  have  been 
cheered  and  comforted  by  personal  visitation  and  encourage- 
ment. In  this  time,  also,  since  meeting  of  General  Synod, 
many  newspaper  articles  have  been  written  on  behalf  of  the 
work,  and  individuals  visited  with  a  view  to  stimulating  them 
to  larger  giving.  There  remain  yet  many  things  to  mention, 


SNAP  SHOTS  FROM   THIC  FllvtD.  169 

and  much  correspondence  to  report,  but  this  report  contains 
probably  all  the  Board  will  have  time  to  consider  at  the  Sep- 
tember meeting.  The  report  has  been  written  as  I  could 
catch  the  time,  while  en  route  from  place  to  place." 

In  such  manner  this  modern  apostle  went  over  the 
great  field,  scattering  sunshine,  establishing,  encourag- 
ing, doing  the  work  of  evangelist  like  a  wise  master 
builder.  These  snap  shots  will  show  better  than  any 
description  could  the  arduous  burdens  under  which 
Dr.  Barnitz  finally  sank.  "He  saved  others,  himself 
he  could  not  save/' 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


DR.   BARNITZ  AND  THE)  GERMANS. 

The  Western  Secretary,  being  of  Germanic  stock 
himself,  was  always  deeply  interested  in  the  develop- 
ment of  our  German  work,  both  in  the  fostering  of 
churches  and  the  education  of  young  men  who  could 
preach  in  both  English  and  German.  His  addresses  at 
synods  were  full  of  references  to  the  demands  made 
upon  the  Home  Mission  Board  for  the  proper  care  of 
the  next  generation  in  our  German  Lutheran  families. 
His  reports  to  the  Board  abounded  in  appeals  for 
workers  to  meet  the  great  influx  of  population  from  the 
German  and  Scandinavian  countries.  During  all  the 
years  of  his  work  as  Western  Secretary  he  retained 
this  interest  in  our  growing  German  work  in  the  West. 
It  was  through  his  activity  that  the  General  Synod  was 
made  aware  of  the  importance  of  this  work. 

The  interest  which  Dr.  Barnitz  felt  in  the  growing 
work  of  the  German  Literary  Board  made  him  refer 
frequently  to  the  spirit  of  enterprise  which  was  mani- 
fest in  the  German  branch  of  the  General  Synod's  work. 

His  love  for  the  Germans  was  deep-seated.     It  ran  in 

170 


DR.  BARNITZ  AND  THE)  GERMANS.  171 

his  blood.  His  words  of  encouragement  on  the  floor 
of  the  German  synods  were  greatly  appreciated.  We 
append  in  this  connection  an  extract  or  two  from  his 
reports  to  his  Board,  showing  that  he  regarded  this 
German  work  as  a  distinct  branch  of  his  great  field  : 


WARTBURG  SYNOD.  Three  days  and  four  nights  were 
spent  with  this  body,  the  Lutheran  Parliament  and  Lutheran 
Women's  Congress,  all  meeting  in  Chicago,  Sept.  12-17. 

The  Wartburg  Synod  is  also  'coming  up.'  I  was  received 
most  cordially,  and  listened  to  for  an  hour  most  patiently,  and 
then  asked  questions  for  an  additional  half  hour.  There  was 
no  'carping,'  no  unkind  criticism  —  not  a  word  of  objection  to 
the  Board  or  its  work.  There  were  earnest  speeches  of  en- 
dorsement, and  exhortations  to  pastors  to  lay  the  Home  Mis- 
sion work  before  their  people  and  urge  increased  giving. 
There  were  also  requests  for  Home  Mission  literature  in 
the  German  language,  as  well  as  for  applications  and  reports 
to  be  gotten  out  in  the  same  tongue. 

This  synod  has  wonderfully  changed  for  the  better  in  the 
past  five  years.  It  is  composed  of  fine-looking,  intelligent 
men,  mostly  young  men  who  are  American  in  spirit  and  grow- 
ing in  their  adherence  to  the  General  Synod." 

"THE  GERMAN  SYNOD  OF  NEBRASKA.  This  body  had  a 
very  delightful  and  harmonious  convention  at  Schuyler,  Neb. 
I  was  accorded  an  hour  on  the  floor  of  synod,  and  as  much 
more  time  as  I  wanted,  and  an  hour  before  the  congregation 
and  synod  in  the  evening.  There  was  the  utmost  cordiality  — 


172  SAMUEX   BACON    BARNITZ. 

thanks  for  the  help  we  have  given  them.  No  complaints,  no 
murmurings,  but  a  hearty  endorsement  of  all  the  work  of 
the  General  Synod,  and  an  urging  of  every  pastor  to  bring 
up  at  least  the  apportionment." 

We  attach  a  tribute  of  one  of  our  German  brethren, 
Dr.  Wm.  Rosenstengel,  who  for  many  years  was  as- 
sociated with  Dr.  Barnitz  through  ties  of  friendship 
in  his  work  as  missionary  in  Nebraska  and  New  Mex- 
ico, and  in  the  last  years  of  Dr.  Barnitz's  life,  as  the 
editor  of  the  Lutherischer  Zions-Bote,  the  official  or- 
gan for  the  Germans  in  the  General  Synod : 

"Rev.  Samuel  B.  Barnitz,  D.  D.,  our  Western  Secretary 
of  Home  Missions,  died  at  his  home  in  Des  Moines,  Thurs- 
day, June  12,  1895,  at  8  A.  M.  His  death  calls  forth  deep 
mourning  in  wide  circles.  Quickly  and  unexpectedly  our 
beloved  brother  has  been  called  out  of  our  midst.  We  have 
before  us  his  last  letter,  dated  May  23,  in  which  he  speaks  of 
a  visit  to  one  of  our  German  pastors  in  Colorado,  which  had 
been  a  recreation  to  him.  It  is  evident  that  he  did  not  think 
of  his  end  as  being  so  near  as  it  was.  His  intention  was  to 
rest  for  a  few  months,  hoping  to  regain  his  strength  during 
that  time  and  then  again  continue  his  routine  work.  We  can 
well  imagine  how  hard  it  must  have  been  for  the  tireless 
traveler  and  worker  to  become  accustomed  to  the  thought 
of  inactivity,  since  he  was  one  of  the  soldiers  of  the  Lord 
who  knew  no  other  command  than,  'Go  forward!'  He  had 


DR.   BARNITZ  AND  THE  GERMANS.  173 

no  idea  how  his  physical  strength  had  been  reduced.  But  out 
of  his  temporary  rest  in  his  earthly  home  there  was  to  grow 
the  eternal  rest  in  the  blessed  home  of  light. 

Pastor  Barnitz,  owing  to  his  official  position,  was  in  touch 
with  many  people.  There  are,  we  presume,  but  very  few 
pastors  in  the  General  Synod  with  whom  he  was  not  per- 
sonally acquainted.  He  was  known  in  most  of  the  congrega- 
tions, an  ever  welcome  guest.  His  secretaryship  he  has  ad- 
ministered for  twenty-one  years,  and  when  we  take  into  con- 
sideration how  the  continual  traveling  with  all  its  hardships, 
with  its  irregular  life  in  eating,  drinking,  watching,  and  sleep- 
ing wears  out  the  system,  how  manifold  and  often  unex- 
pected were  the  demands  on  his  powers,  we  need  not  wonder 
at  his  exclamation,  1  had  no  idea  of  being  so  run  down  as 
I  find  I  am/ 

Our  Germon  pastors,  especially  those  in  connection  with 
the  two  German  synods  in  the  West,  will  be  deeply  touched 
by  the  news  of  his  departure.  Who  could  think  of  our  an- 
nual synodical  conventions  without  his  strong  personality? 
He  always  was  a  welcome  guest,  and  he  loved  to  visit  our 
synods.  As  no  other  of  our  American  brethren,  he  knew  how 
to  appreciate  our  German  work  and  its  importance  for  the 
future  of  the  General  Synod  in  the  West.  He  delighted  in 
our  steady  and  healthy  growth.  More  than  once  he  re- 
marked regarding  the  Wartburg  synod:  'What  a  splendid 
body  and  a  noble  set  of  men  you  have.'  And  his  opinion  of 
the  Nebraska  synod  was  certainly  on  the  same  order. 

Dr.  Barnitz,  although  a  thorough  American,  had  a  genuine 


174  SAMUEL   BACON   BARNITZ. 

German  'Gemuet.'  He  had  an  open  heart  for  the  sorrows 
and  joys  of  his  fellowmen.  It  was  this  prominent  trait  of  his 
character  which  led  all  hearts  to  him.  He  who  has  often 
harbored  strangers  does  not  need  instruction  as  to  the  con- 
ception, 'unwelcome  guest.'  Barnitz  was  none  of  these.  He 
entered  many  a  parsonage,  and  among  these  a  great  number 
in  which  it  looked  sparing  enough,  where  the  good  house- 
wife was  in  embarressment  how  to  prepare  a  comfortable 
resting  place  for  the  night  But  he  was  always  content 
with  what  there  was.  Never  would  he  complain  about  insuf- 
ficient hospitality.  He  appreciated  Paul's  words,  'I  know  both 
how  to  be  abased  and  I  know  how  to  abound ;  everywhere 
and  in  all  things  I  am  instructed  to  be  full  and  to  be  hungry, 
both  to  abound  and  to  suffer  need.'  Just  such  occasions  and 
experiences  were  a  hint  to  him  to  lend  a  helping  hand,  and  I 
am  convinced  in  more  than  one  case  the  arrival  of  the  well- 
filled  missionary  box  at  the  Christmas  season  was  the  result 
of  such  visits.  He  was  well-known  in  ,the  East,  he  knew  the 
well-established  and  wealthy  congregations,  and  it  required 
merely  a  hint  to  this  or  that  missionary  society  to  set  to 
work  immediately  many  helping  hands.  Dr.  Barnitz  is  the 
author  of  the  so-called  'box  work/  which  has  developed  into 
a  regular  benevolent  system.  I  have  before  me  a  letter,  in 
which  a  needy  brother  asks  for  a  box;  he  closes  his  letter 
by  saying:  'You  cannot  realize  what  a  great  help  last  year's 
box  has  been  to  my  family  and  myself.'  Indeed,  our  good 
Barnitz  has  erected  for  himself  a  lasting  memory  in  the 
hearts  of  many,  a  monument  more  precious  by  far  than  a 


DR.   BARNITZ  AND  TH£  GERMANS.  1/5 

thankful  generation  could  erect  out  of  the  best  of  stone;  a 
monument  not  of  marble,  a  monument  in  the  memory  of 
grateful  co-workers  of  God,  followers  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Dr.  Barnitz  was  a  sober,  conservative  man.  He  had  been 
in  the  work  of  the  kingdom  of  God  long  enough,  had  made 
observations  in  all  directions  of  church  activity,  to  fully  ap- 
preciate the  word  of  the  Savior:  Every  plant  which  my 
heavenly  father  hath  not  planted,  shall  be  rooted  up. 

In  many  cases  of  supplying  missions  in  the  West,  he 
spoke  the  decisive  word.  His  main  object  was  to  obtain 
faithful  men.  His  first  question  used  .to  be,  Is  he  a  safe  man  ?' 
Much  weight  he  laid  on  Christian  character. 

Also  in  the  work  of  higher  education  he  was  prominent. 
The  establishment  of  the  institutions  at  Atchison  may  be 
attributed  to  his  efforts  mainly. 

It  will  not  be  an  easy  matter  for  the  General  Synod  to 
find  a  suitable  successor  for  the  blessed  departed.  But  we 
will  not  forget  that  the  interests  of  Christ's  kingdom  are  not 
linked  to  an  individual.  The  evening  must  come  for  every 
worker.  Others  step  into  the  break  and  the  work  is  con- 
tinued. Let  us  see  to  it  that  we  fight  the  good  fight  and  hold 
to  the  faith.  Only  they  who  fight  well  are  crowned."  —  Luth- 
eran Zions-Bote,  2  July, 


During  the  preparation  of  these  pages  a  voluntary 
tribute  came  to  hand  from  the  pen  of  one  of  our  well- 
known  laymen  in  Pittsburg.  It  may  justly  be  in- 
cluded under  the  heading  of  the  present  chapter,  as  the 


i?6  SAMUEL  BACON 


writer  of  the  tribute  was  originally  a  member  of  a 
German  church  in  Wheeling.  He  is  now  a  member  of 
an  English  church  in  Pittsburg,  and  requests  that  his 
name  be  withheld.  The  letter,  which  follows,  contains 
an  incident  in  the  life  of  Dr.  Barnitz,  while  pastor  in 
Wheeling,  so  entirely  characteristic  of  the  large  heart 
and  practical  sympathy  of  the  man  that  it  is  given  en- 
tire. 

AUGUST  i7th,  1905. 
"REV.  W.  E.  PARSON,  D  D., 
WASHINGTON,  D.  C. 

My  Dear  Sir.  —  Your  letter  to  Dr.  Turkic,  referring  to  a 
Photograph  of  Drs.  Barnitz,  Baugher,  and  Goettman  was 
shown  me  by  the  Doctor,  he  knowing  that  I  had  one  of  the 
pictures  in  my  possession.  I  will  gladly  loan  you  mine  for 
the  purpose  for  which  you  want  it  and  will  send  it  with  this 
mail  to  the  same  address  as  this.  I  value  this  picture  of 
'Barney,'  'Baughey,'  and  'Getty,'  as  they  called  each  other, 
very  highly.  Dr.  Baugher  once  showed  me  another  picture 
of  the  same  group  which  was  taken  in  their  younger  years; 
if  that  would  be  of  use  to  you  in  the  memorial  you  are  pre- 
paring, Mrs.  Baugher  would  no  doubt  let  you  have  it. 

I  was  glad  to  learn  that  you  are  engaged  in  preparing  this 
memorial  to  Dr.  Barnitz.  I  was  a  boy  in  Wheeling  when  he 
first  came  there,  but  was  never  connected  with  his  church, 
as  I  attended  the  German  Lutheran  Church  with  my  parents 
at  that  time,  but  I  remember  his  first  appearance  there  very 
well.  Perhaps  a  few  words  regarding  his  work  in  Wheeling 


DR.   BARNlfZ  AND  TH#  GERMANS.  1 77 

may  be  of  interest  to  you  in  this  undertaking,  so  I  will  give 
them  to  you  and  you  can  decide  whether  or  not  they  will  be 
helpful  to  you  in  connection  with  what  you  may  already  have 
gathered. 

He  entered  upon  his  work  in  Wheeling  with  a  great  deal 
of  push  and  energy.  His  ways  did  not  take  very  well  with 
the  older  and  more  staid  Germans,  who  often  spoke  of  his 
Yankee  methods.  Nevertheless  he  was  well  thought  of  per- 
sonally by  them,  and  the  results  of  his  work  were  such  as  to 
command  their  respect  and  admiration.  His  greatest  success 
was  among  the  younger  people  and  persons  of  American 
birth.  He  paid  a  great  deal  of  attention  to  children,  and 
picked  many  a  child  up  in  the  streets  and  got  it  into  his  Sun- 
day School.  His  love  and  sympathy  for  orphans  and  home- 
less children  soon  enlisted  the  interest  of  other  public- 
spirited  and  charitably  inclined  citizens,  with  whose  financial 
aid  he  started  The  Children's  Home.  Of  this  Home  he  was 
president  as  long  as  he  was  in  Wheeling.  It  grew  under  his 
direction  to  be  one  of  the  most  helpful  and  popular  institu- 
tions in  the  city.  His  work  among  the  poor  was  not  confined 
to  children  alone,  but  he  brought  comfort  and  relief  to 
many  a  family  in  want  and  distress.  Indeed  he  was  as  well 
known  to  the  citizens  at  large  of  Wheeling,  as  a  benefactor 
to  the  poor,  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel. 

During  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  he  was  always  a  leader 
among  those  who  worked  for  the  relief  of  sick  and  wounded 
soldiers  and  soldiers'  widows  and  orphans.  One  incident 
that  occurred  during  the  war  shows  his  large-hearterness  and 


1 78  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

thoughtfulness.  When  the  news  of  the  fall  of  Richmond  was 
received  in  Wheeling,  a  grand  jollification  meeting  was  ar- 
ranged for,  to  take  place  in  the  evening  in  the  Court  House. 
At  this  meeting  a  number  of  the  most  prominent  citizens 
made  addresses,  and  all  were  rejoicing  over  the  great  victory 
and  the  sure  prospects  of  peace;  everybody  seemed  enthu- 
siastic and  happy.  The  tall  form  of  Dr.  Barnitz  was  seen 
in  the  audience,  and  soon  the  cry,  'Barnitz/  'Barnitz/  rang 
through  the  building.  He  went  to  the  platform  and  soon  had 
the  people  quiet  when  he  said  in  effect :  'Yes,  we  have  good 
reason  to  rejoice  at  the  great  victory  our  troops  won,  and  the 
sure  prospects  of  the  ending  of  this  bloody  war,  but  let  us 
not  forget  the  cost.  How  many  widows  and  orphans  are 
the  result  of  this  victory,  who  are  mourning  and  despairing 
while  we  are  rejoicing.  It  strikes  me  the  right  thing  to  do 
just  now  would  be  to  appoint  a  committee  to  pass  around  the 
hats  and  secure  money  and  subscriptions  for  the  relief  of 
those  who  have  lost  husband  and  father,  or  son  or  brother.' 
This  proposition  was  taken  up  with  cheers,  and  over  three 
thousand  dollars  were  raised  that  evening.  Dr.  Barnitz  had 
a  heart  as  big  as  himself,  and  I  am  glad  it  was  my  privilege  to 
have  known  him  when  I  was  a  boy  and  to  frequently  have 
had  the  pleasure  of  entertaining  him  at  my  home. 

I  often  wondered  why  no  one  took  up  the  work  of  pre- 
paring a  memorial  for  him,  and  am  glad  to  know  that  such  a 
work  is  in  process  now.  I  do  not  want  anything  I  have 
given  you  here  to  go  in  with  my  name,  but  thought  probably 
a  little  sketch  of  his  life  and  work  would  be  written  and  the 


DR.   BARNITZ  AND  THIv  GERMANS.  1 79 

information  I  could  give  might  not  be  known  to  the  writer 
and  might  be  helpful.  I  was  born  and  raised  in  Wheeling, 
and  lived  there  till  the  Spring  of  1868. 

Wishing  you  success  in  this  undertaking,  I  remain 

Sincerely  yours, 

C.  F.  S." 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


TRIBUTES  OF  ESTEEM. 

The  memorial  resolutions,  tributes  by  synods,  con- 
ferences and  missionary  societies,  in  memory  of  Dr. 
Barnitz  would  fill  a  large  volume.  The  articles  in  the 
church  papers  and  journals,  the  individual  testimonials 
printed  in  the  secular  and  religious  papers,  would  make 
a  second  volume  even  larger.  The  private  letters  of 
condolence  to  the  family,  the  outpourings  of  esteem 
and  sorrow  at  his  loss,  would  make  still  another  book. 
But  it  is  all  written  in  God's  book,  where  He  keeps 
record  of  His  faithful  ones.  Hence  we  shall  not 
attempt  to  draw  from  any  of  these  numerous  testi- 
monials. There  is  an  embarrassment  of  riches.  But  a 
few  sentences  gathered  here  and  there  from  close 
friends,  missionaries,  ministers,  editors,  women's  so- 
cieties, will  make  a  green  garland  such  as  our  friend 
himself  would  be  pleased  to  see : 

"Helplessness  appealed  to  him  from  many  quarters,  and 
to  his  Christ-like  task  he  responded  with  a  warm  heart  and  a 
cheerful  will.  Thus  he  came,  as  God  meant  he  should,  to  his 

180 


TRIBUTES  01?  ESTEEM.  l8l 

wider  field  in  the  Church  in  which  he  served  so  long  and  so 
well." 

REV.  M.  RHODES,  D.  D. 

"Only  God  knows  the  sum  of  the  good  done  by  his  travels, 
his  letters,  his  personal  words,  his  brief  but  Spirit-breathing 
prayers,  his  wise  and  strong  counsels,  his  quiet  and  generous 
gifts  and  tokens  of  esteem." 

M.  F.  TROXELI,,  D.  D. 

"We  sincerely  sympathize  with  our  brethren,  the  missionary 
pastors  and  their  families,  in  their  loss  of  a  loving  brother 
and  thoughtful  friend,  who  was  always  tenderly  considerate 
of  their  self-sacrificing  toil  and  of  their  many  privations  for 
our  Church's  establishment  and  our  country's  evangelization, 
and  who  was  ever  watchful  for  opportunities  to  minister  cheer 
and  inspire  hope  in  the  heart  of  many  a  worn  and  disheartened 
laborer." 

M.  W.  HAMMA,  D.  D. 

A.  F.  Fox. 

A.    STEWART  HARTMAN,   D.   D. 

"We  may  take  the  work  done  by  Dr.  Barnitz  as  a  model. 
It  may  be  followed  out  to  the  fullest  extent  and  nothing  will 
be  lost  He  has  indicated  by  his  own  efforts  how  the  work 
may  be  done  and  what  can  be  accomplished.'' 

JUDGE  PETER  GROSSCUP. 


1 82  SAMUEL   BACON    BARNITZ. 

"When  shall  we  have  another  so  unique,  so  filled  with 
longings  unutterable  for  the  scattered  children  of  the  Reforma- 
tion, so  thrilling  in  recitals  of  the  hardships  of  the  pioneers, 
so  winning  in  all  the  graces  that  go  to  make  up  the  orator." 

C.  G.  HECKERT,  D.  D. 

"Up  and  down  this  land,  in  his  work  as  the  General 
Synod's  Western  Secretary  of  home  missions,  Dr.  Barnitz  has 
been  going  for  years,  carrying  the  work  of  the  Church  on  his 
heart,  urging  the  pressing  claims  of  our  great  work  as  a 
denomination,  pleading  for  men  and  means  to  carry  it  forward, 
planting  and  strengthening  the  churches,  and  drawing  con- 
stantly upon  his  sensibilities  in  sympathy  with  self-denying 
missionaries." — The  Lutheran  World. 

"The  extent  of  his  travels  and  the  celerity  with  which 
he  moved  from  place  to  place,  won  for  him  the  designation 
'ubiquitous.'  " — The  Lutheran  Observer. 

"Samuel  Bacon  Barnitz  entered  upon  his  more  public 
ministry  in  '61  when  our  country  was  in  the  throes  of  our 
Civil  War.  The  young  theologue  was  associated  in  Wash- 
ington with  the  then  pastor  of  St.  Paul's  church,  and  now 
the  editor  of  The  Evangelist.  We  need  hardly  say  that  our 
personal  relations  were  the  most  cordial  and  the  work  of  min- 
istering to  our  'boys  in  blue'  was  most  blessed." 

REV.  J.  G.  BUTLER,  D.  D. 


TRIBUTES  OF  ESTEEM.  183 

"The  home  missionaries  had  no  warmer  or  more  sympa- 
thetic friend  than  good  Doctor  Barnitz." 

C.  W.  HEISUJR,  D.  D. 

"Dr.  Barnitz  was  a  man  with  a  striking  personality,  gifted 
with  a  rare  talent  of  natural  eloquence,  and  often  thrilled  his 
hearers  as  the  clarion's  peal  in  the  day  of  battle  startles  the 
soldier  when  it  sounds  the  headlong  charge." 

WIWJAM  KEU,Y,  D.  D. 

"For  two  score  years  his  name  has  been  a  most  familiar 
one  in  the  homes  and  churches  of  our  General  Synod,  and  the 
scores  of  churches  which  have  been  planted  and  developed 
under  his  guiding  hand  and  fostering  care  will  be  his  lasting 
monument." 

DR.  A.  S.  HARTMAN,  in  Missionary  Journal. 

"Sometimes  his  life  looks  to  us  like  one  long  martyrdom,  lit 
indeed  with  joy  and  blessed  with  visions  from  the  Lord,  but 
none  the  less  a  sacrifice." 

DR.  C.  S.  ALBERT,  in  Augsburg  Teacher. 

"In  perils  often,  in  labors  abundant,  almost  overwhelmed 
with  an  extraordinary  correspondence,  prompt  in  answering 
every  letter,  prompt  in  meeting  every  engagement,  that  man's 
biography  is  the  history  of  the  Western  home  missions  for 
two  wonderful  decades." 

G.  H.  SCHNUR,  D.  D. 


184  SAMUEL   BACON    BARN1T2. 

"He  seemed  never  to  forget  a  name,  or  a  face,  or  a  kind- 
ness done.  And  he  never  wearied  of  serving  his  friends.  No 
wonder  he  was  so  welcome  everywhere,  and  so  many  were 
ready  to  serve  him.  He  was  ever  sowing  kindness  and  con- 
sideration, and  he  reaped  the  same." 

JACOB  A.  CUJTZ,  D.  D. 

"Others  may  do  his  work  efficiently,  but  his  great  charms 
of  personality,  and  his  great  and  tender  heart  for  all  who  were 
in  trouble,  his  endeavors  always  to  help  lighten  the  burdens 
of  our  poor,  struggling  missionaries,  such  strong  characteris- 
tics are  hardly  to  be  met  again  in  our  day  or  generation.  Yes ! 
he  was  truly  a  friend  to  our  Woman's  Work." 

MRS.  A.  V.  HAMMA. 

"A  singular  coincidence,  on  the  day  of  his  death  the 
Executive  Committee  had  just  finished  reading  the  report  of 
his  late  visit  to  California,  when  the  message  came,  'Dr. 
Barnitz  is  dead.'  This  was  his  final  report.  Think  you,  there 
was  not  a  pause,  a  silent  weeping?" 

MRS.  S.  F.  BRECKENRIDGE. 

"He  was  as  punctual  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  to  his 
individual  church  as  to  the  church  at  large.  He  was  as  en- 
thusiastic in  the  success  of  his  home  church  as  in  any  mission 
he  ever  planted." 

DR.  J.  A.  WIRT,  his  Pastor. 


TRIBUTES  OF  ESTEEM.  185 

"From  the  struggling  mission  in  a  Western  sod  church, 
or  third  story  in  a  hall,  to  the  giant  Sunday  Schools  of  largest 
congregations  up  to  that  vast  throng  of  thousands  of  children 
he  and  President  McKinley  addressed  in  Chicago  Auditorium, 
he  carried  off  the  palm." 

F.  W.  E.  PECHAU,  D.  D. 

"In  the  East  how  many  there  are,  but  in  the  West  what 
an  unnumbered  company,  from  the  Great  Lakes  to  the  Golden 
Gate,  in  thronged  city,  in  obscure  villages,  in  prairie  sod 
house,  in  mountain  cabin,  who  can  say  in  truth :  'I  loved  him — 
he  was  my  friend." 

W.  L.  SEABROOK. 

"The  sunshine  and  the  clouds  that  passed  over  the  faces 
of  the  audience  to  whom  Dr.  Barnitz  was  telling  the  story 
of  his  work,  showed  how  thoroughly  he  was  reaching  their 
hearts,  and  the  offerings  showed  as  much." 

HON.  THOS.  E.  DEWEY. 

"In  the  death  of  Dr.  Barnitz,  the  Lutheran  Church  lost 
one  of  her  best  and  most  able  leaders.  No  man  ever 
reached  the  hearts  of  the  people  as  did  he." 

CORNELIUS  ECKHARDT,  A.  M. 

"He  came  into  hundreds  of  homes,  as  he  did  into  ours,  a 
very  member  of  the  family  circle." 

REV.  S.  S.  WALTZ,  D.  D. 


1 86  SAMUSI,   BACON    BARNITZ. 

"We  never  came  in  touch  with  him  without  feeling  the 
thrill  of  his  enthusiasm.  His  devotion  conquered  the  weak- 
ness of  the  flesh.  He  could  not  rest  while  there  was  so  much 
to  do.  The  final  summons  found  him  at  work." 

REV.  W.  H.  DUNBAR,  D   D. 

"Several  colleges  owe  their  establishment  largely  to  his 
enterprise  and  zeal,  while  every  department  of  church  activity 
was  indebted  to  his  far-sighted  and  comprehensive  enthu- 
siasm. His  name,  which  has  long  been  a  household  word 
among  English  Lutherans,  became  familiar  to  Swedes,  Danes, 
Norwegians,  and  Germans,  at  whose  conventions  he  was  wont 
to  appear." 

E.  J.  WOLF,  D.  D,  LL.  D.,  in  N.  Y.  Observer. 

These  testimonials  might  have  been  indefinitely 
multiplied  both  in  number  and  extent.  Instead,  there 
have  been  selected  only  these  single  paragraphs  from 
the  numerous  discourses,  editorials,  voluntary  tributes, 
resolutions  and  printed  memorials  called  out  by  the 
death  of  Dr.  Barnitz.  They  are  enough  to  show  the 
standing  to  which  this  rare  man  of  God  had  attained 
after  more  than  forty  years  of  fidelity,  consecration  of 
zeal  in  the  service  of  Christ  and  the  Church. 

Memorial  services  were  held  in  many  churches 
East  and  West.  At  Washington,  the  capital,  he  had 
frequent  entrance  to  all  our  churches.  Here  he  had 
served  in  his  earliest  ministry,  glad  to  be  able  to  com- 


TRIBUTES  OF  ESTEEM .  187 

fort  those  in  the  hospitals  in  the  first  days  of  the  Civil 
War.  In  Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  Burlington,  Sac- 
ramento, Alameda,  Oakland,  San  Jose,  all  over  his  wide 
field  they  met  to  recount  his  worth,  lament  his  loss, 
and  thank  God  that  he  had  lived. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 
A  WOMAN'S  TRIBUTE:. 

The  work  of  Dr.  Barnitz  brought  him  into  con- 
stant correspondence  with  the  Women's  Home  and 
Foreign  Mission  Society.  He  covered  the  territory  on 
which  so  large  a  part  of  their  work  was  done.  He 
selected  the  fields  and  recommended  missions  as  well 
as  missionaries.  He  was  actively  engaged  in  their 
box-work,  helpful  in  all  their  conventions,  giving  time, 
advice,  addresses,  securing  transportation,  and  in  all 
the  ways  which  he  so  well  knew,  promoted  every  inter- 
est connected  with  their  great  and  good  work. 

It  was  eminently  fitting  that  at  their  next  conven- 
tion following  his  death  they  should  turn  aside  from 
the  ordinary  program  to  spend  an  hour  in  memory  of 
their  cordial  friend  and  helper.  It  seems  fitting  also 
that  the  action  taken  at  that  convention  should  be  em- 
braced in  the  record  of  his  services.  His  death  seems 
to  have  given  color  to  all  the  reports  of  the  year.  It 
entered  into  the  addresses  of  welcome  and  was  part 
of  the  farewell  word.  In  the  response  to  the  address 
of  welcome  it  was  said :  "We  fondly  recall  the  name 


A  WOMAN'S  TRIBUTE.  189 

of  one  who  was  nearly  always  with  us  in  our  Biennial 
Conventions,  and  who  was  so  greatly  interested  in  our 
work." 

The  president  said  in  her  address :  "How  we  have 
all  mourned  the  loss  of  our  dear  Dr.  Barnitz,  that  true 
and  noble  friend  of  the  women's  cause.  We  can  pay 
him  no  higher  tribute  than  to  say  the  world  is  better 
for  his  having  lived  in  it."  The  treasurer's  report  said : 
"How  much  we  miss  the  encouragement  that  was  al- 
ways extended  by  the  sainted  Dr.  Barnitz  through  let- 
ters sent  by  Mrs.  Barnitz,  always  hopeful  and  faithful 
to  the  cause  so  dear  to  their  hearts." 

The  historian's  report  announced  the  death  of  but 
one  honorary  member— "that  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel 
B.  Barnitz,  who  belonged,  in  a  sense,  to  every  synodical 
society."  The  executive  committee  made  touching 
reference  to  the  last  report  received  from  Dr.  Barnitz : 
"On  the  I2th  of  June,  while  the  executive  committee 
was  in  session,  and  just  as  the  last  words  of  his  report 
were  being  read,  the  word  came,  'Dr.  Barnitz  has 
passed  away'.  The  last  words  of  that  report  were 
'occupy,  occupy,  OCCUPY/  That  was  his  parting  mes- 
sage to  the  executive  committee,  and  it  is  his  parting 
message  to  the  Woman's  Home  and  Foreign  Mission- 
ary Society,  and  to  the  women  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 
Dr.  Barnitz  was  active  in  the  organization  of  the  So- 
ciety, and  he  was  ever  the  constant  friend  and  adviser 
of  the  Society." 


IgO  SAMUEt  BACON   BARNlTZ. 

Then  came  the  special  Memorial  Hour,  when  Mrs. 
S.  F.  Breckenridge  made  the  prayer,  after  which  Mrs. 
C.  W.  Maggart,  of  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  read  a  beauti- 
ful tribute,  from  which  the  following  extracts  are 
taken : 

"The  hour  has  arrived  when  we  are  called  upon  to  do 
honor  to  the  memory  of  one  of  God's  noblemen.  We  miss  the 
kindly  face,  the  willing  advice,  the  anxious  and  manifest  sym- 
pathy of  our  friend,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Bacon  Barnitz,  D.  D. 

It  was  about  eighteen  years  ago  I  first  met  him.  During  the 
sixteen  years  of  my  life  as  a  minister's  wife,  five  and  one-half 
years  of  which  were  spent  in  California,  I  have  been  on  his 
territory.  I  have,  therefore,  been  in  close  touch  with  him  in 
his  work,  hence  I  am  here  to  lay  my  personal  tribute  at  his 
feet,  as  well  as  in  some  feeble  way  to  pay  the  respect  due  in 
behalf  of  my  sisters  throughout  the  Church.  It  is  fitting  that 
Iowa  should  serve  at  this  post,  for  Iowa  was  the  center  of  his 
action  for  many  years.  While  only  one  is  called  to  speak,  I 
am  quite  sure  that  there  is  a  cloud  of  witnesses  in  these  pews 
ready  to  applaud  every  good  that  may  be  said.  .  .  .  Do  I 
hear  someone  say  that  such  a  life  is  that  of  the  hero?  Then 
I  perfectly  agree,  and  I  confess  that  I  am  come  here  to  join 
with  you  in  the  kind  of  hero-worship  which  recognizes  braVe 
service  in  the  cause  of  humanity's  elevation  and  betterment. 

Wherein  lay  the  power  of  this  mighty  pioneer  ?  The  power 
of  the  man  was  the  power  of  a  great  spirit,  endowed  with 
a  great  gift  of  free  speech.  A  power  among  men  because  he 


A  WOMAN'S  TRIBUTE.  191 

was  so  much  a  man,  with  a  great  fund  of  human  sympathy, 
who,  when  called  on  to  furnish  spiritual  comfort  to  one  in 
need,  and  finding  the  greatest  need  a  beefsteak,  would  invar- 
iably supply  that  first.  A  man  with  a  rare  sense  of  humor,  and 
a  gift  for  illustration  that  charmed  and  delighted,  while  il- 
luminating every  subject  with  which  he  dealt 

His  was  a  complex  nature,  dignified  yet  frank,  bold  yet 
ever  respectful  of  the  opinions  and  wishes  of  others,  progres- 
sive yet  conservative,  firm  yet  tender  as  a  woman. 

An  incident  under  my  own  observation  which  showed  this 
latter  quality  strikingly,  was  in  a  public  service  in  one  of  our 
California  missions.  He  had  said  the  words  which  made  the 
father  and  mother  one,  and  they  desired  him  to  pronounce  the 
words  which  should  make  the  child  one  with  the  Holy  Spirit 
in  the  baptismal  vow.  Accordingly,  those  hands  always  so 
ready  in  any  service  for  his  Lord,  were  laid  in  baptismal 
benediction  upon  the  little  one's  head;  then  reaching  down  to 
the  child  he  lifted  him  from  his  mother's  arms  into  his  own, 
folding  him  close  to  his  breast  and  kissed  him.  What  a  pic- 
ture! Strong,  dignified  manhood,  yet  as  affectionate,  gentle 
and  tender  as  a  woman. 

Perhaps  the  dominant  spirit  in  Dr.  Barnitz  was  the  spirit 
of  self-sacrifice.  He  was  not  careful  about  himself  when  duty 
and  necessity  were  at  stake.  When  called  to  go  to  a  remote 
field  on  the  far-away  skirmish  line  of  the  Church's  interest, 
he  heard  the  call  and  heeded,  and  alighting  from  the  railway 
train  he  would  board  a  farm  wagon  with  no  spring-seat,  and 
perhaps  face  a  blinding  blizzard  for  two  or  three  hours  in  the 


19-2  SAMUEL    BACON    BARNlTZ. 

most  uncomfortable  conditions,  arriving  at  the  missionary's 
home  to  be  treated  to  the  very  best  they  had,  which  would  be 
very  meagre,  indeed.  His  careful  eye  would  take  in  the  situa- 
tion, and  this  home  would  be  marked  for  a  place  of  blessing, 
and  ere  long,  to  augment  the  meagre  salary,  a  well-filled  box 
would  find  its  way  there,  packed  and  loaded  with  comfort  and 
cheer. 

.  .  .  He  never  forgot  his  friends.  Who  failed  to  re- 
ceive his  New  Year's  greeting?  His  parish  was  the  whole 
country.  .  .  .  For  perhaps  fifteen  years  prior  to  his  death, 
his  name  appeared  on  the  parochial  report  of  the  Iowa  Synod 
with  his  benevolence  itemized.  And  the  total  was  more  than 
any  one  of  half  the  congregations  in  our  synods.  He  not  only 
preached  benevolence,  but  practiced  it.  ...  By  education 
he  was  a  home  missionary,  but  far  more  than  that,  he  was  one 
by  birth.  While  the  training  of  his  early  ministry  was  such 
as  eminently  fitted  him  for  the  very  important  work  that 
occupied  his  later  life,  we  are  led  to  believe  that  his  life  was 
providentially  guarded,  guided  and  directed  for  the  great  work 
laid  to  his  hands." 

This  woman's  judgment  was  in  all  probability  the 
correct  estimate.  So  we  have  looked  on  his  life  in  the 
treatment  of  it  in  these  pages.  So  he  himself  looked 
on  his  life,  always  cultivating  the  thought  that  he  was 
in  God's  hands,  seeking  the  leading  of  Providence,  de- 
siring to  do  only  his  Master's  service  in  any  humblest 


A  WOMAN'S  TRIBUTE.  193 

place  in  the  Kingdom.    Now  he  -has  risen  to  the  exalted 
place,  and  is  at  rest  with  the  Master. 

"There,   grief   is    turned   to   pleasure 

Such  pleasure  as  below 
No  human  voice  can  utter, 

No  human  heart  can  know ; 
And  after  fleshly  weakness, 

And  after  this  world's  night 
And  after  storm  and  whirlwind, 

Are  calm  and  joy  and  light." 

We  follow  this  beautiful  tribute  from  the  women 
with  a  graceful  notice  that  appeared  in  the  Memorial 
Chimes,  of  Topeka,  Kansas,  Rev.  H.  A.  Ott,  D.  D., 
editor.  This  may  be  taken  as  typical  of  the  feeling  of 
all  the  men  who  ever  served  in  the  mission  work  under 
Dr.  Barnitz: 

"One  more  of  the  mighty  men  of  Israel  is  fallen. 
One  more  has  taken  his  place  among  the  sainted  dead 
who  died  in  the  Lord,  and  who  likewise  live  in  the 
hearts  of  thousands  of  friends.  Dr.  Barnitz  fell  asleep 
on  the  morning  of  June  I2th,  just  one  month  after  he 
had  passed  his  sixty-fourth  birthday.  Of  late  he  has 
been  far  from  being  a  well  man.  His  trip  to  the  Coast, 
to  attend  the  late  California  Synod,  in  which  Mrs. 
Barnitz  accompanied  him,  was  hard  on  him,  and  dur- 
ing which  he  suffered  a  serious  collapse.  After  his 
return  to  Des  Moines,  every  day  witnessed  him  grow- 
ing weaker  physically  until  the  end  came. 


194  SAMUEX    BACON    BARNITZ. 

Dr.  Barnitz  was  born  at  York,  Pa.,  May  12,  1838. 
His  theological  course  was  taken  at  Gettysburg.  From 
1861  to  1882  he  was  pastor  at  Wheeling,  West  Va. 
At  the  latter  date  he  entered  the  services  of  the  Home 
Mission  Board  and  since  then  has  devoted  his  energies 
most  vigorously  toward  building  up  the  Lutheran 
Church  in  the  West.  He  demonstrated  his  fitness  for 
this  work  as  soon  as  he  entered  upon  it,  by  his  wis- 
dom, zeal,  and  his  intelligent  prosecution  of  the  same. 
As  a  worker  he  was  absolutely  tireless,  as  hundreds  of 
our  Western  pastors  and  missionaries  will  attest.  East, 
west,  north,  and  south  he  was  constantly  going,  en- 
couraging both  pastor  and  people,  with  voice  and  pen 
in  his  own  happy  way.  For  twenty-one  years  he 
spent  large  portions  of  each  year  living  en  route,  his 
traveling  effects  in  his  great  familiar  grip,  a  load  of 
itself.  As  a  guest  in  a  missionary's  home  he  ever 
brought  a  ray  of  cheer  and  comfort,  but  after  cheer- 
ful greetings  and  social  exchanges,  he  was  to  be  found 
in  his  room  using  his  pen  to  do  what  voice  and  pres- 
ence could  not  do.  He  lived  not  only  to  see  many 
churches  founded  in  the  West  but  whole  synods  estab- 
lished. He  was  perfectly  familiar  with  every  inch  of 
the  territory  west  of  Chicago,  and  knew  the  precise 
worth  of  every  man  in  the  territory.  We  believe  Dr. 
Barnitz  used  this  knowledge  faithfully  and  con- 
scientiously in  the  interests  of  his  Board.  In  this 
regard  it  is  but  natural  that  his  judgment  now  and 


A  WOMAN'S  TRIBUTE:.  195 

then  should  clash  with  that  of  the  men  concerned, 
and  the  doctor  thus  became  the  object  of  unjust  cen- 
sure and  criticism.  All  this  he  was  able  to  live  down 
and  at  the  last  convention  of  the  General  Synod  at 
Des  Moines,  an  ovation  was  given  him  rarely  given  a 
man  in  church  circles  of  any  denomination. 

Dr.  Barnitz  was  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  benevo- 
lences of  the  church.  His  income  was  conscientiously 
tithed  in  the  interests  of  his  own  home  church,  Home 
and  Foreign  Missions,  and  the  church  benevolences 
in  general.  Possibly  as  no  other  churchman  he  has 
figured  in  the  development  of  the  West.  Herein  the 
railroads  recognized  his  activity  and  worth,  and  hon- 
ored him  accordingly,  and  our  Board  has  been  saved 
thousands  of  dollars  in  transportation.  In  his  con- 
ception of  Lutheranism  he  was  conservative,  loyal  to 
every  stand  taken  by  the  General  Synod  in  planting 
itself  soundly  on  the  unaltered  Augsburg  Confession, 
yet  it  cannot  be  said  he  ever  made  his  Lutheranism 
obnoxious  to  his  brethren ;  however,  his  influence  was 
strong  along  these  lines.  Bb&cmft  j  'r 

The  pen  of  Dr.  Barnitz  was  mighty  in  the  cause 
dear  to  his  heart.  Having  the  reputation  of  being  the 
best  known  Lutheran  preacher  of  his  day,  he  used  it 
accordingly.  He  made  thousands  of  friends  to  mis- 
sions through  his  voluminous  correspondence.  His 
private  note-book  was  literally  a  register  of  names, 
names  gathered  from  all  over  the  land,  who  were 


196  SAMUEL    BACON    BARNITZ. 

never  permitted  to  forget  him  because  he  constantly 
remembered  them  with  birthday  or  New  Year  cards 
and  occasional  letters.  In  his  thoughtfulness  and  tact- 
fulness  as  a  secretary  lay  his  largest  power.  As  a 
speaker  he  was  unique,  with  a  personality  somewhat 
like  that  of  Lincoln,  possessing  a  peculiar  ability  to 
tell  touching  incidents  with  which  to  powerfully  illus- 
trate his  subject.  He  was  always  an  interesting  man 
viewed  from  any  standpoint. 

As  a  friend  Dr.  Barnitz  was  valued  on  every  side. 
His  heart  was  warm,  sympathetic  and  tender,  and  his 
interest  in  those  who  loved  him  and  those  whom  he 
loved  never  lagged.  The  moment  he  heard  of  their 
troubles  or  bereavements,  their  triumphs  or  successes, 
his  pen  was  ready  to  weep  or  rejoice  with  them  as  the 
case  might  be,  in  the  thoughtful  message  sent  The 
writer  rejoiced  in  counting  him  his  personal  friend. 
While  a  missionary  under  the  Home  Board  he  has  had 
occasion  to  thank  the  Western  Secretary  for  many 
helpful  words  of  encouragement  and  confidence.  The 
correspondence  then  began  never  ceased  up  to  the 
day  of  his  death,  one  letter  reaching  the  Doctor  the  day 
after  his  death. 

'Farewell,  dear  friend,  a  word  that  must  be  and  hath  been; 
A  sound  which  makes  us  linger,  yet  farewell.' 

Dr.  Barnitz  will  be  greatly  missed  at  our  Confer- 


A  WOMAN'S  TRIBUTE:.  197 

ences  and  our  Synods ;  however,  his  memory  will  ever 
linger  with  us  like  a  pleasant  thought.  The  Board  of 
Home  Missions  will  not  find  it  an  easy  task  to  lay 
hands  on  a  man  who  can  take  his  place.  Indeed,  it 
will  be  quite  impossible  to  find  one  who  will  be  able 
to  precisely  fill  it,  for  he  had  abilities  combined  in 
him  rarely  found  within  the  compass  of  one  man. 

Dr.  Barnitz  leaves  a  wife  and  two  daughters  to 
mourn  his  departure,  and  these  have  the  warm  prayers 
and  true  sympathy  of  thousands  all  over  the  Church." 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

FINALE). 

Doctor  Barnitz  was  twice  married.  His  home  life 
was  an  ideal  fireside.  The  lament  of  his  heart  was  that 
he  could  be  in  his  home  so  little  part  of  the  time.  His 
sense  of  duty  was  so  keen  that  every  earthly  consid- 
eration was  subordinate.  His  first  wife  was  Eliza 
Smyser,  of  York,  Pa.  Three  children  were  born  of  this 
union,  Sue  List  Barnitz,  Sarah  Eliza  Barnitz,  and  Sam- 
uel Smyser  Barnitz,  who  died  at  the  age  of  six  months. 

Dr.  Barnitz  was  married  a  second  time,  to  Eliza 
Park,  of  Martin's  Ferry,  O.,  who  now  resides  in  Phil- 
adelphia with  her  son  and  daughter.  Two  sons  were 
born  of  this  second  union,  David  Park  Barnitz,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years,  preceding  his 
father  to  the  heavenly  rest  by  a  few  months,  and  Fred- 
eric Bacon  Barnitz,  who  resides  with  his  mother. 

The  domestic  and  family  history  of  Dr.  Barnitz  has 
been  scarcely  touched,  since  these  matters  belong  to 
the  private  life  into  which  the  church  has  little  right 
to  enter.  At  every  point  Dr.  Barnitz  was  the  same 
loyal,  devoted  man,  affectionate  father,  and  noblest  citi- 

19* 


FINALE.  199 

zen.  There  is  one  word  which  might  be  applied  to  him 
with  all  the  force  of  its  meaning,  and  that  is  the  word 
loyalty.  To  his  friends,  his  family,  his  church,  his 
missionary  idea,  his  country,  his  Master,  everywhere, 
he  was  moved  by  this  passion.  He  remained  single 
for  several  years  at  Wheeling,  devoting  all  his  energies 
to  his  mission  building.  When  he  had  finally  laid  the 
corner-stone  for  God's  House  in  November,  1868,  then 
he  was  ready  to  lay  the  corner-stone  of  his  own  house. 
He  was  married  the  next  month,  in  December,  1868, 
having  passed  his  thirtieth  birthday  the  preceding  May. 

When  Dr.  Barnitz  returned  from  his  last  missionary 
journey,  to  fall  asleep  in  his  own  home,  surrounded 
by  his  own  beloved  family,  it  was  only  too  painfully 
evident  that  life's  work  was  done.  He  also  knew  and 
was  ready.  He  had  been  getting  ready  for  sixty  years. 
So  he  was  not  surprised  at  the  last. 

Funeral  services  were  held  from  St.  John's  Lutheran 
Church,  Des  Moines,  Rev.  J.  A.  Wirt,  D.  D.,  his  pas- 
tor, having  charge  of  the  exercises.  Many  Lutheran 
clergymen  were  present,  who  united  in  a  series  of  reso- 
lutions, the  reading  of  which  formed  part  of  the  serv- 
ice. The  pallbearers  were :  Revs.  H.  L.  Yarger,  D.  D., 
Luther  M.  Kuhns,  L.  P.  Ludden,  D.  D.,  M.  F.  Troxell, 
D.  D.,  R.  Neumann,  and  F.  W.  Meyer. 

The  address  delivered  on  the  day  of  the  funeral, 
was  (at  the  request  of  Dr.  Barnitz),  by  Dr.  M.  Rhodes, 
of  St.  Louis.  Subsequently  a  memorial  tablet  was  set 


-2OO  SAMUEX   BACON    BARNITZ 

up  in  the  church,  near  the  pulpit,  of  Italian  marble, 
erected  by  the  synod  of  Iowa.  The  unveiling  of  the 
tablet  was  made  the  occasion  for  a  very  appreciative 
service  conducted  by  the  synod  which  erected  the  tab- 
let. Doctor  Yarger,  Field  Secretary  of  the  Board  of 
Church  Extension,  and  Rev.  W.  H.  Blancke,  of  Daven- 
port, Iowa,  delivered  the  addresses  in  the  morning.  At 
night,  Rev.  C.  W.  Maggart,  President  of  the  Iowa 
Synod,  delivered  the  tribute  and  unveiled  the  tablet. 
The  inscription  reads :  "In  Memory  of  Rev.  Samuel  B. 
Barnitz,  D.  D.,  Western  Secretary  of  Home  Missions 
of  the  General  Synod,  1881-1902.  Blessed  are  the  dead 
which  die  in  the  Lord.  Their  works  do  follow  them. 
Erected  by  the  Synod  of  Iowa." 

So  we  have  followed  imperfectly  and  for  but  a  little 
way  in  the  steps  of  this  man  of  God.  He  might  have 
said  in  the  very  words  of  his  Master:  "The  zeal  of 
Thine  House  hath  eaten  me  up."  Once  he  preached 
.a  ringing  sermon  at  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  on 
the  words,  "The  Master  is  come  and  calleth  for  thee." 
It  was  the  text  of  his  own  life.  He  had  heard  the  call. 
He  saw  the  vision,  and  with  all  his  soul  followed 
whither  it  led. 

Recently  a  missionary  to  the  foreign  field  was 
asked,  "Why  do  you  persist  in  working  to  the  breaking 
point?"  The  reply  was  such  as  Dr.  Barnitz  made  al- 
ways with  respect  to  the  home  field :  "What  is  one  to 
do  when  the  need  is  so  great  and  when  that  need  must 


201 


be  supplied  ?  We  must  work  as  hard  as  we  can,  and  as 
long  as  we  can,  for  this  is  a  time  of  crisis  in  the  his- 
tory of  mission  work."  In  that  spirit  he  lived.  In 
such  a  faith  he  died.  And  his  works  do  follow  him. 


THIS  END. 


